It’s ok to feel intimidated by that first name of hers, Inuk language families are largely foreign to Western tongues. Taqralik (tuk-rul-ick) is from the extreme north of Quebec, Kuujjuaq to be exact, but she now lives in Montreal. She’s been writing and performing for over 6 years and 4 of her tracks can be heard on her myspace. Her performances are right up there with Zachary Schomburg in quality and tone. I’ve probably listened to her “battery” piece ten times now, I just discovered on youtube her explaining what it is and now I may have to listen again.

In case of fire
leave quickly and quietly
you will find yourself drawn
to things
Do not stop.

If you must bring things
pile them quickly and haphazard
into black bags
like you’re going to the trash.

Hide your most precious jewels
in your hair
or between your teeth.

The title of the piece is battery because she is speaking in fact not of fire, but of domestic violence. Domestic violence in the northern reaches of Canada’s arctic is a force many women must face alone. I’ve never been in a situation like that, but I understand how isolating and terrifying it could be, especially when just a few hours outside in the cold could kill you if you tried to run anywhere. These women must be strong.

And if they’re not, Taqralik does speak of empowerment. Here she performs at what appears to be a young girls school, a piece called Eskimo Chick. In this poem she makes reference to Inuit throat singing, if you are unfamiliar it may seem like an odd/out-of-place noise amidst the words. Throat singing is a talent and art explained here, performed here, that is part of the heritage of northern aboriginal women. They sing to eachother, arm in arm, rocking back and forth relaying stories, news, and sounds of the North. It comes from deep within the throat, and sounds at first like odd growling.

Other girls have
Louis Vuitton baggage and
Calvin Klein pasts but
you and me
we got seal skin hopes
and dreams

Your Grandma must’ve been a hottie
and she got down and naughty
with some fine
Inuk body.

And you’re not just surviving
you’re thriving
I hope I’m alive when you’re 90
so I can turn to you and say
Eskimo Chick
you are it.

In a couple youtube videos the artists talks about whether or not people are paying attention to her because of the novelty of an Inuk poet, or that in fact she’s doing something worthwhile. She’s obviously found the answer to that doubt in her continued performance, I’m so glad she did. If she can speak to a room full of young minorities and empower them to embrace their heritage, eschew endemic suicide trends, and become intellectually independent through the arts, then I throw my full support.

Hey Taqralik, Portland want’s to hear your fine Inuk voice. Bring your thick blood here, but in the meantime, you are totally enriching. Thank you ma’am.