Susan Aglukark never set out to be a trailblazer. Growing up in Arviat, Nunavut, she saw music as a form of storytelling—something deeply woven into Inuit culture, a way to carry history and identity through generations. But when she released This Child in 1995, her voice became a breakthrough moment for Indigenous artists in Canada, blending pop, folk, and traditional Inuit influences in a way that hadn’t been heard on mainstream radio before.
Now, three decades later, Aglukark is bringing This Child back to the stage with a cross-country tour. It’s more than a concert—it’s a full-circle moment, a chance to revisit an album that not only launched her career but also changed the landscape for Indigenous musicians in Canada.
Before This Child, there weren’t many Inuit artists visible on national stages. Aglukark, singing in both English and Inuktitut, became one of the first to bridge that gap, introducing audiences to a sound and perspective that had long been absent from mainstream music. Songs like O Siem and Hina Na Ho (Celebration) resonated beyond their catchy melodies—they carried messages of unity, cultural pride, and healing. The album went triple platinum, earning her Juno Awards and recognition as a pioneering artist.
But success didn’t mean the journey was easy. In interviews over the years, Aglukark has spoken about the personal struggles that shaped her music—the isolation of growing up in the North, the fear of losing her cultural identity, and the challenges of navigating the music industry as an Indigenous woman. This Child was, in many ways, her manifesto.
"When I started writing, I wrote from what I knew—life in the Arctic, a deep sense of solitude, and the fear of losing my connection to my Inuit identity," Aglukark has said. "The introduction to singing, writing, and recording gave that alone-ness a place, a voice, a direction. This Child was my song to my future artist self and my future Inuk self, telling myself: write who you are, so you never forget where you come from."
Her return to the stage isn’t just a look back—it’s a continuation of that journey. The This Child 30th Anniversary Tour will feature Aglukark performing with a full band, accompanied by multimedia visuals that bring the album’s stories to life. Some shows will include local choirs joining in on O Siem, as well as Indigenous drum groups performing Be Set Free, a song centered on healing and reconciliation.
Beyond her music, Aglukark has remained a passionate advocate for Indigenous youth. Through her Arctic Rose Foundation, she has worked to provide mental health support and creative outlets for young people in remote Northern communities. She’s also set to release a memoir later this year, chronicling her journey from a small Arctic town to becoming one of Canada’s most influential artists.
Unfortunately, the planned stop in Sarnia on March 9 has been cancelled. But for those who want to experience this powerful performance, there are still nearby opportunities. Aglukark will be performing in Welland on March 8 and Oakville on March 7, both within a reasonable drive from Sarnia. For fans willing to venture a bit further, her tour continues across Ontario, with additional dates in Kingston and beyond.
This is a rare opportunity to witness a deeply personal performance from an artist whose work has left a lasting impact on Canadian music. Whether you’ve followed her since the ’90s or are discovering her music for the first time, This Child remains as powerful today as it was 30 years ago—a reminder of the importance of storytelling, identity, and the voices that shape our cultural landscape.
Tickets for Susan Aglukark’s This Child 30th Anniversary Tour are on sale now. Nearby shows include Oakville (March 7) and Welland (March 8).