APTN News
The first of several vigils for late Inuk musician Kelly Amaujaq Fraser is planned for Saturday at Oodena Circle at The Forks in Winnipeg.
Fraser, of Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, died by suicide Christmas Eve in Winnipeg, where she had been living, her family said in a statement.
The award-winning singer was 26 years old.
The vigil is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. CT.
“Saturday evening as the sun sets, we will gather to share prayers, medicine, drum songs, and solidarity,” the association said.
“This space will allow family, friends, and community members to celebrate the legacy of Kelly Fraser.”
(Kelly Fraser performs from her album “Sedna” at the Indspire Awards in 2018. Facebook)
Fraser soared to prominence in 2013 after covering Rihanna’s “Diamonds” in the Inuit language of Inuktitut.
The artist had released two albums and was crowd-funding to make a third “Decolonize” at the time of her death.
Fraser was considered a role model for Inuit youth and used her fame to bring attention to Indigenous rights issues in the northern territory.
A GoFundMe to help her family offset travel costs has reached $43,000.
Her family has said more vigils are being planned.
Read more: Family of Kelly Fraser releases statement about her death
So very sad. Irony perhaps that she was trying to raise funds for her next recording and only raised a little over $3,000 and then when she passed, a fund for her funeral had raised over $30,000. We need to pay more close attention to our young people and their dreams in support, not when they are dead. Thank you for the music you left us Kelly