2026 TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR I Piunguałaq | | The JUNO Awards

Christine Piunguałaq Tootoo is a multi-disciplinary Inuk artist from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. Deeply passionate about pisiit (Inuit songs), katajjaq (Inuit throat singing), and qilaujjaq (Inuit drum dancing), Christine is a life long learner of traditional Inuit music that has been passed down hundreds of generations. She has had the opportunity to share and teach her practice to Inuit youth across Nunavut. She has collaborated in the creation of and performed in multiple theatre productions, including Kiviuq Returns, Unikkaaqtuat, and Ikumagialiit. These performances have been showcased in celebrated venues across Canada and internationally, including the National Gallery of Canada, Harbourfront Centre, Tarragon Theatre, Nunatta Isiginaartitsarfia (Greenlandic National Theatre), the Oslo International Theatre Festival and many more. Christine is a cutting edge artist, at the centre of contemporary Inuit cultural vibrancy and is dedicated to bringing her art form to all Inuit and Canada at large.