Aukkauti play heads to three communities for second leg of Nunavik tour

The second leg of Aaqsiiq Nunavik Inuit Theatre Company’s tour of Aukkauti will begin in Kuujjuaraapik with performances on Oct. 17 and 19.

The six-performance tour will also stop in Inukjuak on Oct. 23 and 24 and Akulivik on Oct. 29 and 30.

Aukkauti is a story based on the 1899 accidential death of a boy near the present-day community of Akulivik and the tragic events that followed. 

“This drama invites us to reflect on choices and destiny, while depicting an important historical moment in Nunavik and Inuit culture,” Aaqsiiq said in a statement.

The play was written in Inuktitut by Lisa Koperqualuk, Adamie Kalingo, and Daniel Kudluk Gadbois. The writers travelled to Kuuvik Bay in July 2021 to see the site of the story first-hand, and then returned in April 2024 to record video and audio footage to incorporate into the production.

Returning to area of original story 

Lisa Koperqualuk, Aaqsiiq president and co-author/co-director of the play, said ending the second leg of the tour in the area where the original story took place would make the Akulivik performances especially meaningful.

“The two preparatory excursions we made out to Kuuvik Bay allowed us to view the actual environment and listen to Inuit stories passed down through generations,” Koperqualuk said in a statement.

“We hoped to remain authentic to how Aukkauti and Kumainnaq lived, to the places that Aukkauti knew. I am excited for Akulivimmiut to see Aukkauti the play in their own community.”

During this month’s tour, the actors will visit schools in each community to lead theatre workshops and discuss the play before students attend a performance.

Lucassie Iyaituk, one of the actors, said working with the students during the first leg of the tour was especially rewarding.

“When they arrived at the gym, the kids were really shy, but by encouraging them and explaining the different games to them in Inuktitut, they gained confidence and had a lot of fun,” Iyaituk said.

“It was so much fun that I didn’t want the activity to end.”

Aaqsiiq Nunavik Inuit Theatre Company was established to produce and put on theatre productions showcasing Inuktitut and Inuit culture.

Aukkauti premiered in March 2025 at the Puvirnituq Snow Festival.

Additional performances of Aukkauti will take place in winter and in spring 2027.

Comments, tips or story ideas? Contact Eilís at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca

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