Iqaluit songwriter’s entry wins 2025 Qilaut contest

Iqaluit performer Tooma Laisa has won the 2025 Qilaut Inuktut songwriting contest for her song Attananngittumi.

Iqaluit’s Kristy Kanayuk was awarded second place for Iqqaumavit Ivvi Inuusinganit and Leetia Kalluk from Arctic Bay placed third with Nattirasugiaq, the Department of Culture and Heritage announced this week. 

The contest, in its 10^th year, celebrates Nunavut’s Inuktut music scene and aims to promote use of the language, a department news release said.

The themes this year were Piruqsatillunga and Inuit Sanasimajangit, which translate as “when I was growing up” and “Inuit creations.”

Thirty-one submissions were judged on their originality, creativity, melody and lyrics.

The top three winners receive $5,000, $2,500 and $1,500, respectively, and the seven other entries each receive $500.

The other winning songs were:

• Fourth place:  Piruqsatillunga by Jocelyn Malla of Coral Harbour;
• Fifth place: Aatikuluga by Mikka Komaksiutiksak, Whale Cove;
• Sixth place: Kinaunira, Pijunnarnira by Eli Qaqqasiq-Taqtu, Iqaluit;
• Seventh place: Tamaani Piruqsallunga by Jocelyn Malla, Coral Harbour;
• Eighth place: Sivullivut by Randy Kukuvak Angilirq, Igloolik;
• Ninth place: Papu by Leo Matthew Temela, Kimmirut;
• Tenth place: Isumaluanngilluti by Leo Matthew Temela, Kimmirut.

All 10 songs will be recorded for a CD to be released this fall. Winners will perform at one of three concerts to be held throughout Nunavut.

To date, 81 songs and 11 albums have been recorded and released as part of the Qilaut contest, the release said. This marks the 10-year anniversary of the contest that was launched on World Indigenous Day, Aug. 9, 2015.

Past winners include Jocelyn Ukutak Malla, Joey Nowyuk and Jo Ellen Etuangat.