Artist lives in:
Ottawa, ON
Community artist is from:
Grise Fiord, and later Pond Inlet
Categories of art practiced
Language Arts Coordinator, Language Artist, Translator, Seamstress, Throat-singer & Ajaja singer, Actor, Crochet
Preferred materials & subjects
Parkas, Mitts, Hats, Kamiks, Purses, Sealskins, Wool, Film and Performance featuring Inuit Culture.
Year of Birth:
May, 1985
Artist’s background:
As a young person, Jane’s grandmother taught her to sew and to throat-sing. While she did not immediately understand the significance of sewing, she came to learn it as she grew and now loves it.
Displayed work & Artist Feedback:
Singing & Performance:
Jane joined Sheena Akoomalikin throat-singing and Ajaja singing for cruise ships coming into the visitor centre in Pond Inlet for approximately 10 years. She has also performed plays with the Tuniniq theatre group and has travelled to Clyde River with Nunavut Quest to perform as a throat singer. She was in the film by John Houston called The White Archer in which she played Inukpaluk’s wife, amongst other characters.
When people express that they enjoyed a performance or a work of art, it makes Jane feel really good, like she is continuing the culture.
Teaching Inuit Traditions:
In high schools, as well as in Inuit community spaces, Jane has taught younger kids to throat sing, and to sew. She expressed that it is an amazing feeling to teach someone what you know.
Artist’s Involvement with Traditional Inuit Culture:
With both sewing, language arts, translation and throat-signing Jane contributes to keeping Inuit culture alive by teaching in a hands-on way. She says: ‘I want to keep it alive, it’s our culture and our tradition. It’s been around at least a thousand years, and I want it to continue for another thousand.’
She has been an instructor with TI to teach how to create Parka’s. And continues to work with Sheena Akoomalik to showcase throat-singing and Ajaja songs passed on by Elders. She also keeps the language alive by speaking it at work with other Inuit.
Words of wisdom to other artists:
Jane understands that while learning is hard, it is good to persist, as eventually it will become fun!
To purchase works:
To order work online, or to book Jane for a performance, you can contact her at jsingoorie@gmail.com
