The Crossing

Susan Agluklark

Juno Award-winning Inuk singersongwriter Susan Aglukark’s career spans 25 years, and her 2022 album The Crossing turns stories into songs. As soon as the music starts on the title track, the percussion draws in the listener, in much the same way as it did on “O Siem” from the 1995 album This Child. The Crossing is a 12-track album including lyrics and songs written in Indigenous languages. The powerful song “Be Set Free,” with its upbeat pace and twang, feels like an anthem for a movement. “People’s Soul (Arviat)” has a familiar feel, and the chorus is comforting. The folk sound along with Aglukark’s voice and emotional lyrics make for a meaningful listening experience. With words that speak to struggles endured and hope ahead, there is an uplifting feel to the tracks on this album. This CD and more can be found at the Thunder Bay Public Library in the Indigenous Knowledge Centre collections. Highly recommended.