Aurora borealis - The Northern Lights

artist:  Susan Aglukark

song background:  traditional Christian hymn

date released:  2007 by Susan Aglukark

Born in 1967 in Churchill, Manitoba, Susan Aglukark spent her first twelve years moving around the Northwest Territories with her father, who was a Pentacostal minister, her mother and seven siblings.  When she graduated from high school in Arviat, Nunavut, she went to Ottawa to work as a linguist for the Department of Northern and Indian Affairs.  Moving back to the Northwest Territories, Aglukark began performing in Inuit communities as a singer, and she caught the attention of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Susan Aglukark released her first album, "Arctic Rose" in 1992.  Three years later, it was followed by her breakthrough album "This Child" which contained the hit single, "O Siem" (Animals).  At the end of 1995, she won two Juno Awards for this album:  Best New Solo Artist and Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Recording.  Later, she was nominated for three more Junos and won one more.  

Susan Aglukark has been awarded two honourary doctorate degrees from the University of Lethbridge and the University of Alberta in her career.  Her highest accolade to date is being appointed an Officer in the Order of Canada in 2005.