Looee Arreak

Looee is an Iqaluit-based, award-winning Inuktitut singer-songwriter, originally from Pangnirtung, Nunavut. She beautifully blends traditional and contemporary Inuit songs, with inspiration from Gospel and choral music genres.

Looee incorporates themes of hope, strength, and love in her music. Her proudest accomplishment is representing Inuit in the Canadian recording of Messiah/Complex with Against The Grain Theatre and Toronto Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Johannes Debus! The project received a 2022 JUNO nomination in the Classical Album of the Year (Large Ensemble) category. Looee is a vocalist in this interpretation of Handel’s Messiah and featured on the album artwork wearing a custom Traditional sealskin outfit she hand-sewed herself.

Another great accomplishment was composing an original Inuktitut song, “I Know Who I Am”, in collaboration with arranger Laura Hawley, commissioned by Nipiit Katittut Voices United. The lyrics depict imagery of the north, while emphasizing inner strength and identity.

Passionate about Inuit language preservation and creativity, Looee performed on stages across the Canadian Arctic, including the Aqpik Jam, the Alianait Arts Festival, and tours throughout Nunavut and Nunavik, Quebec. She has six albums to her name and multiple new music projects currently in planning and production. She won Culture and Heritage’s Qilaut Inuktut songwriting contest, and performed at the signing of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

Looee was an artist-in-residence with NTI after winning first place in the Inuktut novel writing contest and collaborated with Inhabit Media on an educational children’s book, inspired by her numbers song.

Looee is an experienced designer and seamstress. She was costume designer for the Qaggiavuut! Society's Kiviuq Returns: An Inuit Epic, performed across Canada. Looee was appointed as the Executive Director of Qaggiavuut! Performing Arts in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Her music is popular on Inuktitut radio and is often covered by young Inuit musicians she has inspired. The proudest moments for Looee were the standing ovation she received when she performed at the signing of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and being part of the Messiah's Complex project in representation of her language and culture in Canada.