NOVEMBER 7, 2010

INUK ARTIST SIMON TOOKOOME DIED

Born December 9, 1934, by Chantrey Inlet, near Canada’s northern coast, Simon grew up learning the lifestyle and beliefs of his people, the Utkusiksalingmiut Inuit, who lived inland along the Back River. He also spent time on King William Island at Gjoa Haven, exposed to the coastal Netsilik culture. In the 1950’s, during a severe shortage of caribou, the family moved by dog team to Baker Lake. Authorities wanted Simon to attend school, but he refused saying he didn’t want to lose his language. In 1970, Tookoome took up drawing and stone carving on a full-time basis and became one of Baker Lake’s more-prominent artists. He became a founding member of the Sanavik Co-op and also co-authored the children’s book, Shaman’s Nephew: A Life in the Far North, which won the $10,000 Norma Fleck Award for Canadian children’s non-fiction in 2000. In 2008, he was given the Nunavut Commission Award of $5000 for his contribution to the arts. Simon passed away on November 7, 2010 at Baker Lake.

Source: “Simon Tookoome,” Portraits of the North.  Retrieved 7/18/2019, http://www.portraitsofthenorth.com/portrait/simontookoome.html
Drawing:  Simon Tookoome, 1973.  The World of Men and the World of Animals Come Together in the Shaman.  Stonecut and stencil on paper. Fair Use.  Source: Government of Nunavut Fine Art Collection. On long-term loan to the Winnipeg Art Gallery. (Photo Credit: Serge Gumenyuk, courtesy of the Winnipeg Art Gallery).