Children’s book from Indigenous singers celebrates ‘gems’ of Arctic music – Nunatsiaq News

Dec 21, 2022

‘Maakusie Loves Music’ first educational book from Twin Flames duo

A new children’s book from a famed Indigenous music duo is shining a spotlight on Arctic music.

Maakusie Loves Music is a brightly illustrated book from the couple Chelsey June and Jaaji, otherwise known as the acclaimed folk-rock group Twin Flames.

It’s the first foray into children’s literature for the pair, who wanted to introduce young readers to the world of traditional and modern Inuit music.

The story follows Maakusie, a young Inuk boy, as he practises throat singing, or katajjaniq in Inuktitut, sings ajaajaa songs, and learns how to drum and about Inuit musical traditions from his grandmother.

The story showcases Inuit music traditions from across the North, even stretching into Greenland.

“Having grown up in the North, the folk scene was very prevalent in my younger days, and then all of a sudden music just grew from there,” Jaaji said.

Read More: https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/childrens-book-from-indigenous-singers-celebrates-gems-of-arctic-music/