Kuujjuaq singer and broadcaster William Tagoona is being named to the Order of Arts and Letters of Quebec for his contributions to the arts. The musician, shown here on the cover of his recent album “When I See You,” is best known for founding the Inuit rock band The Harpoons in the 1960s. (File photo)

William Tagoona to receive Quebec provincial honour

Founder of Inuit band The Harpoons one of 16 new members of Order of Arts and Letters of Quebec

By Nunatsiaq News

The founder of the Inuit rock band The Harpoons is set to be named a member of the Order of Arts and Letters of Quebec.

William Tagoona is one of 16 inductees who will join the Order at a ceremony in Montreal on June 10, the Council of Arts and Letters of Quebec said in a news release Monday.

The honour pays tribute to cultural luminaries for their outstanding contributions to the development and reputation of Québec arts and literature.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Order, which now includes 167 members.

Tagoona is a singer-songwriter, journalist, radio host, editor and producer best known for being the founder and singer of The Harpoons, which formed in the 1960s. The council credits The Harpoons as being the “first Inuit rock band.”

Originally from Kuujjuaq, Tagoona has produced more than 30 albums and has used music to promote Inuit language and culture. He’s been honoured by the Aboriginal Music Awards and received an Award of Excellence in Broadcasting from CBC North.

The other inductees are Hélène Dorion, Claude Dubois, André Forcier, Linda Gaboriau, Rosie Godbout, Michel Goulet, Alice Ming Wai Jim, Menka Nagrani, Susie Napper, Louise Sicuro, Roland Smith, and members of the band Les Cowboys Fringants including Marie-Annick Lépine, Jérôme Dupras, Jean-François Pauzé and Karl Tremblay.

“In putting their talent and creativity at the service of art, these luminaries help promote Québec’s cultural milieu and leave us with a tremendous heritage,” said council president Sylvain Lafrance in a statement.

Members of the Order are recommended by the council, made up of a jury that evaluates nominations received in response to an annual call for candidates.

 

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(8) Comments:

  1. Posted by Hmmm on

    I’m glad to hear that Mr. Tagoona is being recognized and honored. I want to point out that he was initially from Baker Lake, Nunavut, but has lived in Northern Quebec for at least 40 years. He started the band while attending school in Churchill, Manitoba, along with other Inuits sent from the Kivalliq Region to Churchill for secondary education in the 1960s.

    • Posted by huvaguuq on

      “Inuits” were from all of what is now Nunavut and Nunavik, not just Kivalliq.

  2. Posted by Eskimo Joe©️ on

    Not one song in French, Take That Bill 96! Tabernacle 🎸🎤🎼

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  3. Posted by Steven on

    Les Cowboys Fringants, Bill is in good company with the recently passed Karl Tremblay’s band The Dashing Cowboys, great music!

  4. Posted by David Simailak on

    Congratulations Arnaqat!!! Well deserved!!!

  5. Posted by Nancy U Gibbons on

    Congratulations! I admire and love his music! Thank you for comforting me during the time I lost my dear mother during the covid-19 lockdown with your song, “Anaanaga”

  6. Posted by Pat Rick on

    As Avataq’s president he would do well to have Inutituut classes running for any and all Nunavik residents soon. This is not the time to rest on the laurels.

  7. Posted by William on

    I was born in Baker Lake and was raised in Rankin Inlet and Arviat but have lived in Kuujjuaq for many years. The Harpoons was founded by Michael Kusugak and John Tapatai in 1965. I was the vocalist with Eric Tagoona on guitar and Jose Kusugak on drums.

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