In the shadow of a history marred by broken promises and centuries of systemic injustice, the haunting and powerful music of Inuit artist Tanya Tagaq is set to resonate from The Farquhar at the University of Victoria. Her performance will echo the profound struggles and resilience of Indigenous peoples, transforming the venue into a space of reflection and unflinching truth.
Tagaq, a composer, author and avant-garde artist, blends traditional Inuit throat singing with a provocative and sometimes aggressive improvisational edge. She will headline an evening of what promises to be particularly intense and dynamic programming.
Described as a fearless innovator with a visceral stage presence and dizzyingly complex music, Tagaq addresses critical Indigenous rights issues in her work, including the legacy of residential schools, the fight for land sovereignty and the systemic violence against Indigenous women.
Tagaq, along with the Victoria Symphony and the Emily Carr Quartet, will perform a variety of works during the Sept. 18 performance, including her own compositions sivunitinni and Qiksaaqtuq, as well as Suspension by Canadian composer Rodney Sharman.
The event will open with a traditional Indigenous welcome, followed by a discussion with Tagaq and facilitators.
This evening is part of UVic’s Voices in Circle programming, an Indigenous-led arts series designed to amplify Indigenous voices through diverse performances and deep community engagement, guided by a decolonized approach to curation and collaboration.
“A member of the Voices Programming Circle will lead the discussion,” says Ian Case, director of UVic’s Farquhar Auditorium. “Tanya is prepared to present an improvisation with her drummer during the discussion.”
Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission found that the Indian Residential School system perpetrated cultural genocide, widespread abuse and intergenerational trauma against Indigenous peoples, issuing 94 Calls to Action to address these injustices and promote reconciliation. Many of these actions emphasize the importance of education and dialogue.
“Voices in Circle is curated by a Programming Circle of Indigenous artists, creators, leaders and administrators,” Case explains. “The series features both performances and engagement activities that allow artists to interact with audiences and communities in ways that go beyond the stage. We believe that by giving the artist an opportunity to engage with audiences through a moderated discussion, they will gain a deeper understanding of the artist, their work and have an opportunity to share cultural knowledge and ways of being.”
Tanya Tagaq and the Victoria Symphony are at UVic's Farquhar auditorium Sept. 18, beginning at 7 p.m. Visit events.uvic.ca for tickets and information.
