I guess my favorite photo did not make it, I will try again with some assistance, hopefully by the end of the day tomorrow. It was a photo taken at Kwadacha First Nations, BC in November of 2005.

A couple of weeks ago I got to meet Lt. Gov. Bartleman as he launched his book drive as part of the launch at the First Nations School in Toronto, it was so good to witness something that could potentially have a huge impact on our native children and youth. But we need to take it further, each Nunavut/NWT community and First Nations Community needs to take it upon themselves and feed children knowledge, sit down and read with them, read to them, show them the stories in there imaginations, help them paint those images so that they make the connection between past and present and future and that they understand that our culture and history is the glue.

Give them a fighting chance in this day, but don’t educate just for the future, educate for the love of knowledge, for the love of independence,

I had always written, poetry or journal writing but it wasn’t until junior high into high school that I really fell in love with reading. Reading taught me to appreciate the power of imagination, of creativity and communication. It is a pleasure now to sit down and have a conversation and not feel so our of place, language is not so much a barrier. These are the kinds of things we need to think about for our children, reading and writing can be a powerful tool towards feeling like they belong.

I could go on, I challenge everyone to watch for the Bartleman book drive and donate. It’s for the children.
Susan.

Hello;
I’m just getting used to this electronic interaction stuff, thanks for your patience.

I had an unusual week last week, from major corporate dinners to visits with people living in shacks in the middle of a Canadian winter. I ask myself: what is wrong with this picture? And then I reconcile it with the knowing that I live between these worlds and that I have to keep up my work in order to give voice to these kinds of issues. This is partly what the songs Citizens of the World and Circle of the Old are about for me. I love songwriting, I love (know) performing. I thank those who understand my position and continue to support me. Thank you. P.S. Again, hope that photo works.

Hello again, home for a couple of days. I can’t help but think on the last couple of weeks. I started March in Nova Scotia, songwriter’s circle hosted by Bruce Guthro, also performing were Terry Kelly and Johnny Reid. It was sooo much fun. From N.S. I went to Sarnia and than to Peterborough and on to Edmonton for the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards and then to Pt. Hardy BC, straight across the country. I love Canada, and now I’m off to Saskatoon for the Junos (please cheer for me, the competition is thick), and then to Lille, France for the 90th anniversary of the battle at Vimy Ridge. I think I live an incredible life. Right now I am doing a beaded flower for a wonderful guy and really great comedian by the name of Johnny Bagpipes Johnson. He and his wife do all kinds of fundraisers to build schools for children in Africa. Check out his site: bagpipes@johnnybagpipes.com. The site for the schools is www.africanpreschools.org. Anyway, things are busy but like I said, I love my work, I love my friends. I’ve given up on the photo thing for now, will figure it out and post pictures as soon as I can.

Hello Everyone;
Seems my last post was accidentally erased so I am re-writing this one. As I had said, the whole trip to Vimy was a real education for me. I have come to see military in a whole new light and have a whole new appreciation for Canada’s history. We take so much for granted. Also, I’d responded to a couple of emails regarding global warming and wanted to re-iterate that I personally do not have a “position” either way (yet) but I take appropriate opportunities to give Inuit people a voice. The Innovations Canada article was one of those opportunities.
Susan.

Hello,
Thanks for your posts and for your patience. On top of working on a new album, I am busy trying to keep my business afloat. Enjoying it but it is busy.

To answer your question regarding the Rankin Inlet youth group: I had not heard. I will certainly try to visit with them as I will be in Toronto next Tuesday for meetings. Thanks for the notice!

For the kayaker, I can only suggest perhaps getting in touch with the regional recreation coordinators. They might have better insight into the regional and community events.

Someone had written asking for the translation of O’Siem. What it basically means is welcoming and honoring guests, whether that is a gathering or a meeting of sorts, a conference etc.. The words are used along with hand movements to welcome and honor guests.

Funny story: I was out this past weekend doing some yard work and after every 15 or 20 minutes or so I’d get up to look around. A couple of times, I found myself envisioning the tundra, caribou, the ocean, I could almost smell the land. Kinda neat the power of memories. I am comforted to know that I have not forgotten, and now know that even after all of this time I will never forget my land. Oh well, silliness.
Susan.

Hello again,
Just in Calgary, got here today from Lac La Biche and I wanted to say what a wonderful time I had at Lac La Biche. I love my job!!!!!! I meet some pretty incredible people, see some beautiful parts of the country. A belated thanks to everyone at Lac la Biche.

It is now September 6 and summer is quickly passing which means that winter is just around the bend and another busy couple of months. I look forward to meeting all of you along the way.

I was home in Arviat, Nunavut for a visit and spent some time arqpik picking with my mother. It was so good to get back out on the land, to see beyond the next block, to hear nothing but nature. It was good to see some of my old friends and to catch up on all kinds of things, but I was reminded of why I wrote this short paper and I wanted to post it and share with anyone who is interested in reading it. I hope that this will work. Curious to hear your thoughts…
Susan.

the-fear-of-the-unknown.doc

Hello,
Can’t believe two months have passed since my last posting. Time is going so fast. I just performed at the Mariposa Music Festival in Orillia, and what a great time we had. I did not realize that the festival has been running for as long as it had. Beautiful location, right on the water. It was a great way to wind up.  Now I’m off for a couple of weeks, and looking forward to slowing down and catching up. Hope all is well.
Susan.

Hello again;
First my apologies with the document, I checked my post and I was able to open my document so I can’t say what the problem is. I will be posting stuff on my website so will eventually set that up.

I was glad to hear from someone who was at the Make Poverty History show in Toronto. It was such a great experience. I stood in the side lines listening to Stephen Lewis and a what a real motivation that was. I realize how much I still have to learn and to do.

Also, I want to acknowledge the gentlemen who came to a show in Moose Jaw with his son. Thank you for sharing your experience and I sincerely hope things are going well for the both of you.

I am looking forward to my tour out west coming up this November. I feel so ready to play live again. It use to be such a struggle because I never felt “good enough” but I am so excited about playing my music and sharing my stories. Please come out and say “hi” if you can make it. The dates are posted on my website.

Susan.

I am almost set for the Western Tour, first one we organized on our own (with the Agency’s help of course). It has been a great learning experience but definitely a learning curve. Gotta give my agent and my business manager major credit though as I am the least organized person in the country.

I am also very excited about this tour because this will mark a major turning point for me, it will be my first tour as an independant artist since the early 1990’s. The difference with this one is that it is the first time I feel very comfortable with the stage, with all of it.

I am hoping to be able to post weekly updates and if I can ever figure out the picture thing, will try to post photos as well.

Hope you can follow.
Susan.

I can’t believe we are already at the end of the tour. I am in Edmonton getting ready for the last show. I am constantly humbled at the beauty that this country has to offer in people, cultures and land. I thank everyone for the posts to this blog and will try to answer all of your inquiries. Bernice, my fellow Arviarmiut, it was very good to see you and I wish you and your family all the best. Ajungi! Melody Dawn, keep working towards your goals, looks like you have some incredible people willing to help you, take the help, hugs to your mother. To Elliot, first let me say thank you for mentioning my mistake in the opening, I certainly did not mean any disrespect by what I said, I was speaking more to myself as I tend to talk too much and I simply wanted to keep myself focused on the show. It was so good to be on tour again and I want to thank everyone who came out to the shows for making the tour such a success. Qujannamiik.