Susan Aglukark named winner of Governor General's Performing Arts Award

Susan Aglukarkwillreceive the country's highest honour in the performing arts in June, it was announced while thesinger-songwriterspoke at a conference in northern Manitoba this morning.

The 49-year-old Inuk singer-songwriter is one of seven winners of the Governor General'sPerforming Arts Award.

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Aglukark,the first Inuk winner of the award,is receiving the highest honour: theGovernor General's award for lifetime achievement.

She appeared at the awards announcement Thursday morning by video chat from R.D. Parker Collegiate in Thompson, Man., where she is speaking to more than 300 youth and adults from across northern Manitoba at a suicide prevention forum.

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Aglukark, who grew up in the Nunavut community of Arviat, is one of the most recognizable singers and songwriters from the territory, with hit songsincluding Hina Na Ho (Celebration) and O Siem.

She has also spoken out on social issues facing indigenous youth in communities across Canada's North.

In the past year, Aglukark launched the #ArcticRoseWarCry social media campaign to raise awareness of high suicide rates among aboriginal youth.