Tunnganarniq Nunagijavut: Arviat - Eva Suluk, David Sewoee, Ernie Eetak

On this episode of Tunnganarniq Nunagijavut: Arviat host Connie Uyaupiq Kalluak sits down with Eva Suluk, David Sewoee, Ernie Eetak to talk about traditional drumming, and keeping Inuit traditions alive. David and Ernie are both drum-makers and dancers from Arviat, and recently they took part in a drum dance festival in Gjoa Haven Nunavut.

First Broadcast Thursday May 1st, 2025

Ernie Eetak is a well known inuk drum dancer and has been performing as a drum dancer since 1992. He is from Arviat and has been living in Arviat Nunavut since birth. In his childhood, he would go with his grandmother and mother to a gathering place of igloos for drum dancing and singing pihiqs (Inuit songs). He has performed at many different events and places over the years including: Resolute Bay Nunavut, Whitehorse, Yukon, Ottawa, Ontario, the new Government of Nunavut building, the Inumariit Music Festival and was a part of the opening ceremony at the New Hamlet of Arviat Building. He was a member of the ‘Arviat Qaggitiit’ group, which is a collection of artists who perform to Tourists in Arviat. They performed for the former Governor General, David Johnston. Ernie Eetak speaks two languages: Inuktitut and English.