Inuk singer Susan Aglukark was the keynote speaker at the First Nations’ Language Keepers Conference in Saskatoon Wednesday.
Aglukark grew up in Arviat, Nunavut, before going on to international fame as a recording artist in the early 90’s.
She says she feels it is important to use her position as a recording star to give back to Indigenous communities.
“Part of the career is the responsibility to share the culture,” she says.
She adds in order for Indigenous people to maintain their culture, it is vital that they retain their language.
“Language is the grounding part of a culture and without that the culture is broken.”
The Nunavut artist is the recipient of numerous musical awards as well as the Governor General’s Order of Canada.
The conference is being hosted by the Saskatchewan Indian Culture Centre.
It continues on Thursday with the 2013 SICC Annual Book Writing Contest Winners followed by a number of workshops in the afternoon.