Nunavik singer Elisapie honoured with Canada Post stamp

Nunavik singer-songwriter Elisapie says she was “in disbelief” after she learned she will be getting her own stamp.

Canada Post announced her inclusion in a new stamp series meant to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, in a news release June 5.

“It is a big deal,” Elisapie Isaac, who is known professionally as Elisapie, said in a phone interview.

“Canada Post has been part of our lives [as Inuit] since we were first moved to a town, relocated from nomadic life.”

She said the post office represents institutions that have led to major changes in Inuit history. To be honoured by one of these institutions is a “weird feeling, a very proud moment,” she said.

“It feels like a sweet victory.”

She added that the stamp has been in the works for over a year.

Elisapie is being honoured alongside Anishinaabe elder Josephine Mandamin and Métis visual artist Christi Belcourt.

“Knowing that Inuit or Indigenous people get to see these faces at their post office, it is just an honour,” Elisapie said.

Canada Post described Elisapie in the release as an “award-winning singer-songwriter, actor, director, producer and activist from Salluit.”

“She has devoted her life to raising awareness of Inuit language, heritage and culture through her many artistic endeavours,” the release said.

The stamp unveiling is scheduled to take place at the McCord Stewart Museum in Montreal on June 13 at 5 p.m.

Elisapie said she’ll be thinking of her cousin, who worked for Canada Post, at the unveiling event.

“She died of cancer recently, and I think of her and how proud she would have been to see her little cousin there,” she said.