Pisiq Song Book was created in partnership with Qaggiavuut an Inuit performing arts organization. In August of 2018, 7 elders arrived in Iqaluit to share a pisiq (an ancient inuit drum song) with 32 students.
In all cases, the elders were the last knowledge keepers of pisiit.
Research, Product Strategy, Content Strategy, Product Design
In order to ensure these ancient songs lived on, an app was created that could be toured across various remote Inuit communities to ensure these songs were shared and preserved.
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These pisiit are the songs about life's journey created by our ancestors who thrived in our beautiful homeland. "
Pisiq song book introduction
Missionaries. colonizing the north, sought to erase these songs. However the songs that endured served many important purposes --- sharing knowledge of healing, joy, hope and sacred traditions.
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They are now shared by knowledge-keepers who have kept the songs alive in their memory, even when they were discouraged to do so. "
Pisiq song book introduction
The Pisiq songbook app acts as an archive of ancient Inuit songs that could have otherwise been lost. The Qaggiavuut team not only recorded various versions of each song, they translated them, and decoded each of their meanings. We worked with local artists and videographers to give each song its own visual representation.
