
Elisapie's Juno-nominated album: Promoting Inuktitut through music
The album features covers of 10 pop and classic rock songs, including the Rolling Stones's 'Wild Horses' and Metallica's 'The Unforgiven,' re-imagined in Inuktitut. Inuktitut is the first language of 33,790 Inuit in Canada, according to the 2021 Census.
Elisapie's nomination offers a good opportunity to reflect on the situation of Inuktitut and how creative work, including music, helps promote it.
Our work touches on the inter-generational transmission of Inuktitut. We share perspectives as a Qallunaaq (non-Inuk) linguist (Richard) and as an Inuk school teacher (Sarah) in Nunavik, with Sarah's personal experiences in the community highlighted.
Together, we have co-taught courses for Inuit teachers in Puvirnituq and Ivujivik. We are also both affiliated with a research group focused on Indigenous education based at Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
Sarah notes that:
I was amazed that [Elsipasie] could make the long words in Inuktitut fit with the rhythm of the music; she did it so precisely. It took me back to the 1980s, when I was growing up. It would have been nice if songs like these had been interpreted back then. It's been a long time coming, but it shows that nothing is impossible. The songs sound so natural in Inuktitut.
On the day we talked about this story, Sarah remembered:
I was at the Snow Festival yesterday [in Puvirnituq], and some of the teenagers knew all the words to her songs and were singing along. We didn't have that when I was growing up.
She remembers first seeing Elisapie sing in the early 1990s at one of the first snow festivals in Puvirnituq.
Elisapie's album has also sparked interest outside of Canada, with stories in such venues as Rolling Stone, Vogue and Le Monde.
Beyond how Elisapie beautifully interprets the songs, creative choices like using throat singing on the first track, 'Isumagijunnaitaungituq (The Unforgiven),' and stunning music videos showcasing life in the North brings the language to a wider audience.
The album's cover art features the word Inuktitut, ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ, in syllabics — a writing system originally use for Cree and adapted to Inuktitut, where the individual symbols represent consonants and the way they point represents vowels.
The word Inuktitut itself means 'like the Inuit,' and is the name for part of a wider language continuum spoken across the North American Arctic. This language continuum includes Iñupiaq in Alaska, Uummarmiutun, Sallirmiutun and Inuinnaqtun in the Western Canadian Arctic, Inuktitut in the Eastern Arctic, Inuttut in Labrador and Kalaallisut in Greenland.
This abundance of names reflects a diversity of varieties, each with their own pronunciations and differences in grammar and vocabulary stretching across Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland.
Speakers in each community look to their Elders as models of how the language should be spoken. While this multiplicity of dialects poses challenges for translation and creating teaching materials, each variety marks local identity and links generations.
This diversity also fascinates linguists, as each variety attests to a different way of organizing the unconscious rules of grammar in the human mind.
For instance, Inuktitut has a rich system of tense markers on verbs, signalling events that just happened, happened earlier today, before today or long ago. Inuinnaqtun, to the west, lacks most of these tense markers, but instead allows more complex combinations of sounds.
Sarah stresses the importance of Elisapie's music for the language:
It's so impressive that people like Elisapie are doing such amazing things with the language. She grew up around the same time as me and when I was in school there were so few teaching materials in Inuktitut, and we focused more on speaking than reading and writing. Even if her main goal might not have been to promote the language, she's doing it, because kids listen to her. More teenagers are willing to sing in Inuktitut now because they have role models like her and Beatrice Deer.
Deer is an Inuk and Mohawk musician from Quaqtaq, Nunavik, who also sings in Inuktitut, as well as English and French.
In Canada, all levels of government have failed to provide adequate access to education in Indigenous languages, even in regions where Indigenous Peoples form the majority.
In Nunavik, where Elisapie is from, 90 per cent of the population (12,590 out of 14,050) identifies as Inuit and 87 per cent (12,245 out of 14,050) report Inuktitut as their first language. And yet Inuktitut is only the primary language of instruction up until Grade 3.
About promoting Inuktitut, Sarah says:
We're lucky that in most of the villages in Nunavik, the language is still strong. But it's still concerning that some people have started speaking in English to their kids. What we really need to promote it is to have school in Inuktitut from kindergarten to the end of high school [secondary 5 in Québec]. That's why a group of Inuit teachers, including me, visited Greenland to learn more about their education system. They've had schools in their language for almost 200 years. We just started in the '50s.
While bilingualism may bring economic benefits, the lack of support for Indigenous languages often results in a situation where bilingualism robs children of the chance to fully develop in their first language.
In addition to violating Indigenous Peoples' inherent right to get an education in their language (see the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples), current education policies also go against recommendations of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
UNESCO recommends that Indigenous minority languages be taught as the primary language in school for the first six to eight years, as this has been shown to contribute to children's well-being and self-esteem.
Unfortunately, Canada's official language laws continue to place the two colonial languages of English and French above Indigenous languages, particularly in education funding.
Read more:
New challenges have also emerged for maintaining and extending the domains in which Inuktitut is used. Once cut off from high-speed internet, new satellite technology has brought access to more Inuit communities, along with new economic opportunities.
However, this connectivity also brings an avalanche of English content, from viral videos and streaming platforms to social networks and mobile games.
It is in this changing linguistic and media landscape where Inuktitut language and cultural production, like Elisapie's album, are vital for promoting Inuktitut.
Children and teenagers need content that speaks to them — things they see as new, fun, cool and representing their generation. This includes music, comic books, novels, video games and even Hockey Night in Canada in Inuktitut.
So whether Elisapie's music is being played in community radio stations, featured in an episode of CBC's North of North or streamed as a music video on social media, it serves the added role of taking up a little more space for Inuktitut in people's daily lives.
This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organisation bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Richard Compton, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and Sarah Angiyou, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)
Read more:
Canada should provide Indigenous languages with constitutional protection
Ancestral languages are essential to Indigenous identities in Canada
Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto designers are showcasing resistance and resurgence
Richard Compton receives funding in the form of research grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. He holds the Canada Research Chair in Transmission and Knowledge of the Inuit Language.
Sarah Angiyou does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Fox News
18 hours ago
- Fox News
Ozzy Osbourne performs final concert with Black Sabbath bandmates and more legendary artists
Ozzy Osbourne has officially bid farewell to the stage. On Saturday, Osbourne, 76, performed his final show with his Black Sabbath bandmates Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, at his "Back To The Beginning" farewell concert in Birmingham, England. The 10-hour show, hosted by Jason Momoa, featured performances from Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Jack Black, Steven Tyler and more. At one point during the show, which was livestreamed in the U.K., legendary drummers including Tool's Danny Carey, Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith and Blink-182's Travis Barker battled with their drumsticks while playing a cover of Sabbath's "Symptom of the Universe." Additionally, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Dolly Parton, Elton John, Billy Idol, Jonathan Davis, and more recorded inspiring messages to Osbourne and the band, thanking them for the years of inspiration. For the closing set, according to a photo posted on X and various videos, the legendary rockstar was lifted to the stage while sitting on a black throne accompanied by skulls and topped with a black bat. He sang hits such as "Crazy Train" and "Mama I'm Coming Home" while remaining seated the entire set. "It's so good to be on this stage... You have no idea how I feel," Osbourne told the crowd, according to Planet Rock Radio. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart." Fans were quick to share their thoughts on the final performance on social media. "Only Ozzy Osbourne could be in a chair, shaking from Parkinson's, riddled with ADHD, and remain the consummate showman, remain dignified," one fan wrote on X. In February 2023, Osbourne announced the cancellation of his tour dates due to ongoing medical issues and various health scares. "I am honestly humbled by the way you've all patiently held onto your tickets for all this time, but in all good conscience, I have now come to the realization that I'm not physically capable of doing my upcoming European/UK tour dates, as I know I couldn't deal with the travel required," Osbourne said in a statement posted to his social media accounts at the time. The former Black Sabbath vocalist admitted his "singing voice is fine," but he remains physically weak after three operations, stem cell treatments, physical therapy and Hybrid Assistive Limb treatment, which uses a robotic exoskeleton to help improve movement. The heavy metal singer-songwriter has struggled with a number of physical ailments over the years. In 2003, he almost died in an ATV accident when his quad flipped onto him while he was riding around his London estate. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease within the same year. On the Jan. 29 episode of his Sirius XM show, "Ozzy Speaks," with co-host Billy Morrison, Osbourne admitted he was having problems walking but remained positive. "I go on about the way I can't walk, and I can't do this … but you know what I was thinking over the holidays? For all my complaining, I'm still alive," he said. Morrison added, "You have to take into account what you've done to yourself over the years." Osbourne continued, "I may be moaning about how I can't walk, but I look down the road and there's people that didn't do half as much as me, and they didn't make it. "There's so many friends and acquaintances that have gone." Morrison said he's seen an improvement in the past year for Osbourne, but the singer noted, "I have to balance myself" when he gets out of bed. However, he expressed gratitude, saying, "I'm not dead, still actively doing things." Fox News Digital's Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this post.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
See Metallica, Guns N' Roses Cover Black Sabbath at ‘Back to the Beginning' Concert
Ozzy Osbourne's all-star farewell concert on Saturday, dubbed Back to the Beginning, featured Metallica and Guns N' Roses, who paid tribute to Osbourne and the original Black Sabbath at what was billed as their final show in Birmingham, England at Villa Park. Metallica was the penultimate band to perform before the Osbourne/Black Sabbath finale performances. Metallica kicked off their set by covering Black Sabbath's 'Hole in the Sky' from 1975's Sabotage and they also covered 'Johnny Blade' from 1978's Never Say Die!, as fan footage captured. More from Rolling Stone Lamb of God Release Studio Version of Black Sabbath's 'Children of the Grave' After Ozzy Farewell Concert Ozzy Osbourne Gives Earth-Shaking Farewell at Black Sabbath's Back to the Beginning Zakk Wylde Hopes Ozzy Osbourne Will Tour Again on a 'Mechanical Throne That Shoots Fire' Guns N' Roses performed four Black Sabbath renditions, including opening with Technical Ecstasy's 'It's Alright' before launching into 'Never Say Die.' Guns N' Roses also performed 'Junior's Eyes' from Never Say Die! along with the title track to 1973's Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. The charity gig featuring the four original Black Sabbath members — Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward — also included performances from Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Alice in Chains, and more, with Tom Morello serving as the musical director. The event featured all-star jams that included Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan, Morello, Sammy Hagar, and more, including a team-up for a rendition of Led Zeppelin's 'Whole Lotta Love.' 'It's my time to go back to the beginning … time for me to give back to the place where I was born,' Osbourne, who in recent years has been battling Parkinson's disease and underwent several spinal surgeries, said of his 'final' concert in a statement from February. 'How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham for ever.' Proceeds from Back to the Beginning will benefit Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and the Birmingham-based Acorns Children's Hospice. Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lamb of God Release Studio Version of Black Sabbath's ‘Children of the Grave' After Ozzy Farewell Concert
Just hours after Lamb of God took the stage at Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning farewell concert — where they covered Black Sabbath's 'Children of the Grave' — the band has released a studio version of the Master of Reality track. 'Lamb of God being invited to perform with Black Sabbath at their final show is one of the greatest honors of our career,' Lamb of God lead guitarist Mark Morton said in a statement. 'As an offering to the celebration, we've recorded our take on their classic 'Children of the Grave,' a protest song with lyrics that are as relevant today as they were in 1971 when the original was released.' More from Rolling Stone Ozzy Osbourne Gives Earth-Shaking Farewell at Black Sabbath's Back to the Beginning See Metallica, Guns N' Roses Cover Black Sabbath at 'Back to the Beginning' Concert Zakk Wylde Hopes Ozzy Osbourne Will Tour Again on a 'Mechanical Throne That Shoots Fire' The all-star Back to the Beginning concert in Osbourne's hometown of Birmingham, England featured dozens of heavy metal and hard rock giants performing mini-sets that included unique renditions of Black Sabbath and Osbourne staples; Metallica covered Black Sabbath's 'Hole in the Sky' and 'Johnny Blade,' while Guns N' Roses' Sabbath-filled set included 'It's Alright,' 'Never Say Die,' 'Junior's Eyes,' and 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.' Other covers at Villa Park Saturday included Tool playing 'Hand of Doom,' Anthrax tackling 'Into the Void,' Pantera appropriately performing their heralded rendition of 'Planet Caravan,' Slayer delivering 'Wicked World,' and Lamb of God's 'Children of the Grave.' 'Black Sabbath invented heavy metal and in doing so, they changed the world,' Morton continued. 'This genre that they created brings immeasurable joy to fans all over the world. We are so grateful to have the heavy metal community to call our home, and so grateful to Black Sabbath for the gift of their music that they've given to all of us.' The Back to the Beginning concert concluded with a five-song Osbourne solo set followed by the four core members of Black Sabbath reuniting for the final time for a five-song set of the band's classics, including 'War Pigs,' 'Iron Man,' and 'Paranoid.' Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked