Qilaut means drum in Inuktitut, also meaning “Instrument of heaven”. The sound of the qilaut resonates within my body and awakes my soul to dance. When I hear the drum, I am reminded to live in the moment. When I strike the drum, my body naturally aligns with my breath and the energy of the space and my calming thoughts. I am often in tune with the spiritual presence of our ancestors whom I look up to. They are the true survivors, the one who persevered so much in life that they gave me the chance to live my life today. They run in my blood and remind me to celebrate life in dance and song as I carry on. When I dance, I also embrace the spirit of the special people in my life who have passed away. Qilaujaq (drum dancing) allows us to be in our common heaven, the place where spirits can meet. Dancing on the land, surrounded by the arctic waters, the summer flowers and the beautiful sky gave me a sense of reconnection to myself as a woman, a mother, my journey as an Inuk from Nunavik and Nunavut. This experience amplified the essence of where I come from and who I am today. Nakurmiik!
Dancer: Sylvia Cloutier
Camera: Vincent Desrosiers / VDOpro.ca
Ed Maruyama
Aerial Footage: Samuel Lagacé / Tumiit Media Inc.
Sound Design: Antoine Bédard
Editing: VDOpro.ca
Vocals: Sylvia Cloutier
Special thanks:
Canadian North
David Serkoak
Michel Johnson
Marcus Chislett
Madeleine Allakariallak
Parul Bahuguna
my boys Mister & Inuapik
and my mother Siila
In dedication and gratitude to Phanuelie Palluq 1971-2008
performing artist, producer, director
Sylvia Cloutier
Iqaluit, Nunavut
Sylvia Cloutier originally from Kuujjuaq, Nunavik (Northern Quebec) living in Iqaluit, Nunavut, is a mother, performing artist, producer, director, well known for performing Inuit throat singing and drum dancing. She has collaborated with many artists all over the world including Think of One from Belgium; Tafelmusik, a Toronto based baroque orchestra; Montréal based DJ Geronimo Inutiq and the National Symphony Orchestra.
Ms. Cloutier is the co-founder of a performance company Aqsarniit producing shows that promote Inuit culture for special events such as the Nunavut Celebration at the Museum of Civilization in April 1999, Toonik Tyme and Alianait festival in Iqaluit, Canadian North’s Nunavut Day Gala in 2007, fashion shows for the Government of Nunavut promoting the high fashion seal skin products.
Ms. Cloutier was the producer for a television series Inuit Piqqusingit with Inuit Communication Systems Limited in 2000 learning about Inuit survival skills across Nunavut. She has also been involved as a motivational speaker for youth events and has worked extensively with creating training for youth in creative projects while addressing social issues such as video production, the development of murals, social theatre, music, dance and circus.
She was the Artistic Director of Qaggiq theatre company in Iqaluit, project manager at the Northern village of Kuujjuaq and collaborator with Social Hip Hop projects with the Blueprints for life team working in Inuit communities in Nunavik and Nunavut. In 2009, Mr. Cloutier was managing the social Circus program CIRQINIQ as the Recreation advisor for Arts & Culture at the Kativik Regional Government, a program developed for youth in Nunavik in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil’s social circus department Cirque du Monde.
She joined her Excellency Governor General Michaëlle Jean on the state visit to Norway and Ukraine in 2009 and was named “Woman of the Year” by Pauktutiit, the national Inuit women’s organization and later received an award for “Outstanding young woman of the year” by Qullit Nunavut women’s organization in 2013. Sylvia is the producer and co-director of TULUGAK bringing together Inuit performing artists from Canada and Greenland since 2011. She is currently a television Producer at Inuit Broadcasting Corporation in Iqaluit.
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