Indigenous Music Awards

Formed in Igloolik, Nunavut in 1984, Northern Haze created North America’s first Indigenous-language record when they released their original LP in 1985. They gained local notoriety and national attention for their solid rock riffs and Inuktitut lyrics, performing across Canada as well as most often in the Northern communities they knew so well. After the deaths of Kolitalik Inukshuk and Elijah Kunnuk in 2007, Northern Haze’s remaining members - Naisana Qamaniq, James Ungalaq, and John Inooya - recorded new material in 2009 and 2010 with additional bass player, Derek Aqqiaruq. The Nunavut rockers released Sinnaktuq in 2012, which includes all their original recordings, plus their newer songs. Northern Haze recently signed with Aakuluk Music, Nunavut’s first record label, and released Sinnaktuq in 2017.