Thank you, Mr. Speaker and fellow Members. I apologize that I was unable to be here this morning to make this statement. I intended to do this morning. Mr. Speaker, I would like today to congratulate Susan Aglukark of Arviat, on her second album Arctic Rose, which was officially launched last night in Arviat.
I would like to apologize for not being able to be a part of the launching in Arviat. Every Member of this Assembly should have received an invitation to the launching, but due to circumstances beyond the control of this House, we were unable to complete the Operations and Maintenance budget.
Susan Aglukark is a 25 year old singer who was born in Churchill, Manitoba, but was raised in Arviat. Susan was so extremely popular in her home town of Arviat that two concerts were booked last night, so that all of her supporters had an opportunity to hear, and see her. More than 200 people crowded into the Arviat airport on Tuesday to greet the singer whose music brings music and hope to the people.
Susan successfully launched her music career last year, with a debut of a video called "Searching" and an album called "Dreams For You". The video won the Much Music Top Cinematography award. Since the release of this video, and cassette, Susan's music career has blossomed, so much so that she resigned from the I.T.C. in June, 1992 to dedicate herself totally to music. She also became a role model for people in the Arctic, and has also been highly active speaking to students of all ages. On Canada Day, Susan performed on Parliament Hill to a televised audience of about 27 million people. Susan and the Arctic Roads Band recently performed before approximately 10,000 people in Vancouver's Earth Voice '92, the largest environmental festival in Canada. She was a feature performer last weekend in Edmonton, at the Dream Speakers, the first world artistic and cultural film festival. She will be the subject of an article in this months Indian Life magazine and will be profiled sometime.