Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory to co-host Arctic Inspiration Prize ceremony

Nunavut artist Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory is slated to co-host this year’s Arctic Inspiration Prize award ceremony.

Bathory, who recently won the prestigious Sobey Art Award, will be joined by Yellowknife-based musician William Greenland during the virtual award presentation.

The Arctic Inspiration Prize celebrates the achievements of people in the North “in the fields of education, sustainable housing, health, performing arts, traditional knowledge, language, and science,” according to a news release from the AIP.

There are 10 finalist projects from the three territories and Nunavik vying for the $1 million, $500,000 and $100,000 prizes. The finalists will also receive a piece of artwork created by a past Arctic Inspiration Prize finalist.

Last year’s top prize winner was Inuit music program Imaa — Like this, which took home $1 million.

Finalists in this year’s $1-million category include a Nunavik-based addiction program and facility called Ilagiitigut anngiangijaqatigiinnirq ilurqusivuttigut, which is up against a Yukon project called CANAPY — Collective Action for Nature-based Active Play and Youth Employment.

Six projects are nominated for the $500,000 AIP prize, including the Miinga — Mental Health Resource Mobile App, based out of Nunavut.

This year’s ceremony will feature performances from several northern-based artists including Nunavut/Northwest Territories-based throat singing duo PIQSIQ, Yukon-based musical duo Dena Zagi, as well as the Cambridge Bay-based Huqqullaaqatigiit Drum Dancers.

The virtual award ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 4.