Singer-songwriter Susan Aglukark has been appointed as a distinguished scholar in residence at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, the university announced Monday.
Aglukark, an Inuit folk-pop singer known for hits such as O Siem and Breakin' Down, will spend three days a month at the university to mentor students of Inuvialuit, Inuit and First Nations and Métis background.
She will also help create a new native studies, recreation sport and community health program.
Aglukark is to act as a role model to help recruit students from Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
"I have long had an interest in encouraging my people to advance themselves by pursuing education, particularly post-secondary education," Aglukark said in a statement.
"My position with the University of Alberta will give me direct access to the ways and means to continue doing this."
She takes up the position July 1.
Part of the role involves using her status to lobby for funding for aboriginal students to earn degrees in applied traditional healing, programs for indigenous languages and business programs in leadership, governance and partnerships.
She will also be a consultant to the Canadian Circumpolar Institute, a University of Alberta group that promotes research in the Canadian North and other circumpolar regions.
New concert guidelines follow P.E.I.'s Alanis debacle
It was supposed to be the follow up to 30,000 fans for Aerosmith in 2007, but the Alanis Morissette concert in September attracted only a few thousand fans, and P.E.I. is looking to avoid another failure.
Inuk country singer, songwriter Charlie Adams dies
Charlie Adams, a singer-songwriter known among Canada's Inuit for his catchy Inuktitut country tunes, died this week. He was 55 years old.
Fire breaks out at Berlin Philharmonic hall
The Berlin Philharmonie, home of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, was hit by fire Tuesday.
Contact Us About Us HomeTuesday, January 6th, 2009