“Imaa, Like This”, Children and Youth Expressing Themselves Through Music, $1 Million 2020 AIP Laureate
Did you miss the awards ceremony broadcast? Don’t worry, you can still watch on APTN lumi here.
Intimate. Emotional. Creative. Northern. The 9th Annual Arctic Inspiration Prize Awards Ceremony was a virtual experience that touched the hearts of many across the country: North, South, East and West. And while the celebration is done for another year, the Laureates are just getting started and there will certainly be more to hear from them!
“At the Arctic Inspiration Prize Awards Ceremony we see and feel the light. The light through innovation, the light shared through courage, through ideas, through programs and solutions. For the North, by the North like never before. It’s who we are.”
AFN Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek
The ceremony opened in Yukon, this year’s host territory, with a blessing from Champagne and Aishihik Elder, Chuck Hume. On behalf of the Laureates and Finalists, thank you to all the speakers, presenters, dignitaries, performers and hosts who made this awards ceremony so special, including:
“The work that you are doing is going to change the North. It’s going to change Inuit Nunangat. It’s going to change people’s lives.”
Natan Obed, President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
The AIP was also thrilled to have the participation of many of our Co-Owners, Prize Partners and dignitaries from across the North, including:
And closing remarks were provided by the Chair of the AIP Board of Trustees, Hannah Uniuqsaraq.
“On behalf of the Arctic Inspiration Prize Board of Trustees, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all of the 2020 AIP Finalists and Laureates and the inspirational work that they are doing to drive change across our northern communities.”
Hannah Uniuqsaraq, Chair, AIP Charitable Trust
Thank you to our Arts & Culture Partners, the Avataq Cultural Institute and the Yukon First Nations Culture & Tourism Association and to all of the incredible northern artists whose artwork was gifted to the winning teams.
“I’m excited to see what the latest crop of Finalists have to share, the progress they’ll make, and the impact they’ll have. The future of the North is in good hands. Congratulations to everyone!”
Caroline Cochrane, Premier of the Northwest Territories
And while the AIP community wasn’t able to gather together to celebrate, there were plenty of special moments shared on social media.
Finally, a real first for the AIP, the Call for Nominations for the 2021 prize is also now open! If you’re feeling inspired by what you saw at the awards ceremony, the finalists and the laureates, start dreaming up your own nomination now!
“This project (The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun’s Indigenous Food Sovereignty Hub) is more than just a contract, it’s about growth of relationships between people. And I’m convinced that one of the most important things that we have to achieve in our country is reconciliation. And the only way that we will achieve reconciliation is by working together.”
Christopher Burn, Professor of Northern Studies, Carleton University & Team Member, The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun’s Indigenous Food Sovereignty Hub
Check out some of the news articles highlighting the ceremony:
“Imaa, Like This” takes home $1 million prize, Nunatsiaq News Read article
Over $3 million awarded to northern projects, CBC North Read article
Two youth projects from the NWT win Arctic Inspiration Prize, Cabin Radio Read article
