(Ottawa, ON) ? November 27, 2024 ? On this week?s episode of Roots and Hoots, host Gordon Spence is joined by the Arctic Rose herself, Susan Aglukark. Susan sits down with Gordon in-studio to discuss the journey she has taken, and where she has yet to go. Susan Aglukark is an Inuk woman from the community of Arviat located in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut. Susan shares about the beauty of her homeland and what it was like to grow up living along the polar bear route.

Through the Inuit naming tradition, Susan received the name Ooliniq meaning ?scarred from burns?. Susan shares about the name she received, including how her great-great-grandmother chose this name for Susan, and the meaning it continues to hold in her life. While discussing the significance of the Inuit naming tradition, Susan and Gordon touch on the importance of knowing one’s Indigenous language and how grounding it can be.

Susan discusses life before her career as a singer-songwriter, including her time spent working at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, to her decision to dedicate her life to music. Susan?s iconic voice and sound has given her the opportunity to travel the world, performing for royal and state dignitaries, including Nelson Mandela.

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Of Susan?s proudest accomplishments is the Arctic Rose Foundation, for which she is founder and program developer. The Arctic Rose Foundation works primarily with Indigenous children and youth to promote the role that art expression can play on one?s healing journey. As the conversation winds down, Susan shares what is next on the horizon. This includes the 30th anniversary tour for her breakthrough album This Child, an upcoming memoir, new music and a production project with Inuktitut speaking Inuk actors. Of the many wisdoms Susan shares, the quote ?feel the fear and do it anyways?, has been true for Susan?s life, and are inspiring words for us all to keep in mind, when we have an opportunity, to put our best foot forward in life.

The LHF is a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada for over 24 years. The LHF?s goal is to educate Canadians about the history and existing intergenerational impacts of the Residential and Day School Systems and subsequent Child Welfare System on Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) Survivors, their descendants, and their communities to address discrimination against Indigenous Peoples, and to promote hope and healing in Canada. The LHF works to encourage Canadians to address discrimination and injustice to contribute to the equity, dignity, and respectful treatment of Indigenous Peoples.

The LHF has 30 educational exhibitions that promote awareness of Indigenous history that are free to borrow and is working on making exhibitions available online. LHF also has curriculums for K-12 and for adults, along with Activity Guides, Workshops, and Training, two Podcast series, all aimed at educating Canadians about Indigenous history and the shared history of Residential and Day Schools, the Child Welfare System, and other colonial acts of oppression. The LHF works to develop empathy and understanding to eliminate ongoing racism against Indigenous Peoples and to foster Reconciliation in Canada.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Teresa Edwards, B.A., LL.B / J.D.
Directrice générale et conseillère juridique interne
Fondation autochtone de l’espoir
tedwards@legacyofhope.ca