Imagine discovering an ancient, 12-hour song only remembered by one living person.
That’s the kind of cultural treasure being found and preserved by Nunavut’s Qaggiavuut Society. Their Arctic Songs initiative paired 10 elders with young, northern musicians – creating powerful teachable moments for nearly vanished pieces of art. That concept – protecting the old while encouraging the new – anchored the non-profit cultural organization’s proposal for The Qaggiq Project, one of three finalists for the $1 million Arctic Inspiration Prize, which will be awarded Wednesday in Ottawa.