Looee Arreak is a renowned singer-songwriter who was born in Panniqtuuq (Pangnirtung), NU, and is currently based in Iqaluit, NU. She is a musician as well as a performer, and frequently teaches music to children, youth and adults in various communities in Nunavut with the Qaggiavuut! Society; an organization dedicated to advocating for as well as promoting Inuit performing artists and other actors, musicians and performers working across Nunavut [1].
Arreak sings Pisiq (traditional Inuit music), as well as gospel, choir and contemporary music. Her melodic songs address topics such as community, family, resilience, hope and strength [2]. Arreak has released two recordings, Don’t Give Up (1995) and Qulliit (2016). She has additionally released several albums, such as Inuktitut Christmas in July 2016 and I Will Rise Again in December 2018. Her music is currently available on YouTube, Spotify, Google Play Music, Deezer, Inuktitube and various Inuktitut radio stations.
Arreak has participated in tours throughout Nunavut and Nunavik, QC. She has performed at the Aqpik Jam and the Alianait Arts Festival as well as other festivals in Nunavut. In fall 2018, she performed on tour in various Nunavut communities, such as Kangiqliniq (Rankin Inlet), Qamani’tuaq (Baker Lake), Igluligaarjuk (Chesterfield Inlet), Arviat, Iglulik (Igloolik) and Ikpiarjuk (Arctic Bay) [3]. Arreak has also been part of other musical, film and theatre projects as a host for a youth program at the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation and a casting assistant for The Snow Walker (2003). She was a costume designer for the Qaggiavuut! Society's Kiviuq Returns: An Inuit Epic, which was directed by Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory and performed at multiple venues, such as the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Banff, AB; the Alianait Arts Festival in Iqaluit, NU; the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, ON; and the Tarragon Theatre in Toronto, ON. Arreak additionally won third place in the Nunavut Department of Culture and Heritage's 2016 Qilaut Inuktut songwriting contest, and sang with Juno-award winning musician Susan Aglukark, OC, in 1999 to celebrate the signing of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement [4].
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Accomplishments
2016: Won third place in Qilaut Inuktut songwriting contest.
1999: Sang with Susan Aglukark, OC, to celebrate the signing of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.