Everyone is invited to the virtual party: Uvagut TV Live Broadcasts Nunavut Day Celebrations, July 9 (July 8, 2021)

Photos:

  • Susan Avingaq. Courtesy of Uvagut TV
  • Terry Uyarak. Courtesy of Aakuluk Music

Media Space Link: http://www.uvagut.tv/press-releases

July 8, 2021

Uvagut TV, Canada’s 24/7 Inuktuk-language TV channel, is proud to be live broadcasting two Nunavut Day Celebration events on Friday, July 9.

An afternoon broadcast, from 2 pm to 4 pm EST, will showcase celebrations in Igloolik, featuring live music and elder Susan Avingaq who’ll be teaching traditional games. 

Later in the day an Iqaluit-based gala event, from 7 pm to 9 pm EST, will showcase a rich array of talent from across Nunavut. In compliance with Covid protocols, gala organizers have moved the festivities online. Among artists taking the virtual stage are the Cambridge Bay drum dancing group Huqqullaaqtigiit; Iqaluit-based performers Tooma Laisa and Leena Evic; Arviat throat singer and jaw harp player Lois Suluk-Locke; and Igloolik’s Terry Uyarak whose recently released debut album, the critically acclaimed Nunarjua Isulinginniani, has been nominated for a Juno award.

The evening event has been organized jointly by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc, Alianait Arts Festival, Ayaya Communications and NCC, and will be hosted by NTI President Aluki Kotierk and playwright Miali Coley-Sudlovenick.

“Nunavut Day is extra special this year,” says Lucy Tulugarjuk, Managing Director of Uvagut TV. “We’re broadcasting the festivities for the very first time so people all across Inuit Nanangat and throughout Canada can share in the celebration. That hasn’t been possible before. Collectively we are also celebrating the great news about Mary Simon’s appointment as Canada’s Governor General so it’s such a wonderful time to come all together.”

Since it launched in January, Uvagut TV has broadcast numerous community-based events and celebrations, including graduation ceremonies for Nunavut Sivuniksavut and Nunavik Sivunitsavut, and the inaugural Inuktuuqta! Inuktut Writers Awards. “Community response has been enthusiastic,” says Tulugarjuk. “Television has incredible power to connect Inuit who are spread so far apart from one another. It allows us to participate in each other’s events and share our stories and culture. Uvagut TV will be broadcasting more live events and celebrations in the months to come.”

About Uvagut TV

Uvagut TV, Canada’s first 24/7 Inuktut television channel, launched on January 18, 2021. Uvagut TV is available nationally to 610,000 Shaw Direct satellite subscribers, Arctic Coop Cable subscribers in Nunavut and NWT and FCNQ subscribers in Nunavik. Viewers around the world can watch the broadcast stream online 24/7 at www.uvagut.tv

Uvagut TV is owned and operated by Nunavut Independent Television Network (NITV), an Inuit owned non-profit founded in 1991 in Igloolik as a media arts centre. NITV is dedicated to the enhancement and preservation of Inuktut and Inuit culture through the creation and exhibition of Inuit video art, linking Nunavut communities through Internet television channels, local access internet-TV, media training and digital literacy initiatives, the production and distribution of Inuktut video and film — and now broadcast television.

Media Requests: Cynthia Amsden, Roundstone Communications  416.910.7740 cynthia@roundstonepr.com