Saimavik (Canada)
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
Saimavik, which takes its name from a Nunavut and Nunavik wellness initiative, is a special project formed by Riit (Rita Claire Mike-Murphy), an Inuk singer from Panniqtuuq, Nunavut; Juurini (Joey Partridge), an Inuk artist from Kuujjuaq, Quebec; and Montreal producer Simon Walls (Simon Gervais). Riit blends Inuktitut throat singing with electro-pop, and her 2019 album Ataataga was nominated for a Juno Award and long-listed for the Polaris Music Prize. Juurini sings in Inuktitut about his memories of the north, and his 2023 album Aqqutinni received Félix and Canadian Folk Music Award nominations. Walls has produced albums for Indigenous and francophone artists across Canada, including award-winning records by Zal Sissokho and Laura Niquay
Featured Song:
The trio released the music under the name Saimavik itself in support of the organization’s work with Northern communities through Transformative Life Skills (TLS) techniques. “Saimavik” (A Place of Contentment) is one of seven songs commissioned as part of a collection built around themes of healing and resilience. Sung in Inuktitut over Walls’s weissenborn guitar, its lyrics, written by Riit and Juurini, offer a simple guide toward calm. “Relax your mind / Listen to your heart / Breathe calmly, softly / Go towards and find peace.”
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