Once a month, The Pressinspired by the magazine’s “Socrates Questionnaire” Philosophy, questions a personality on the big questions of life. This Sunday, Inuit singer Elisapie, returning to Quebec after a visit to Europe to continue the tour Inuktitutwhich accompanies the release of his fourth solo album.
Who am I ?
I am an eternal researcher who is never comfortable with closed observations, because life never stops evolving.
Are we free?
I think that we are fundamentally born free, but that we quickly do everything to put a cage around ourselves to protect ourselves. It’s easier. But at the same time we lose the essence of this freedom which is more natural than the cage…
What do you remember from your education?
The education that shaped me was not academic. It is that of my parents and elders who experienced drastic changes. They were teachers of life, teachers of few words who taught me to leave room for emptiness and to use it as a tool.
I realize today what extraordinary educators our elders were. For 60 years, we have tried to put aside our way of educating, we have tried to make us believe that we are less intelligent. It’s sad. We must revalorize this form of education in our communities.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Elisapie performing last December
A thinker, philosopher or author who has been with you for a long time?
I think of three people. Mitiarjuk Attasi Nappaaluk, who passed away today, graduated from McGill and taught our culture. She was an extraordinary woman, very influential. She was one of the first indigenous women to write a book, Sanaaq, which is a collection of stories about a woman.
The anthropologist Bernard Saladin d’Anglure worked with her. He wrote a fascinating book about our history: Being and reborn Inuit: man, woman or shaman. He visited my village of Salluit when it was just a small igloo camp.
Finally, Leonard Cohen is my cheerleader! I follow everything he says! He became a Buddhist and there is a slowness in this philosophy that the Inuit also have…
What torments your conscience?
Myself ! I am my own worst enemy. I feel like I’m never enough of this or that. I can quickly become tormented.
The most surprising thing you’ve done for love?
It’s not surprising, but I made too many declarations of love that went nowhere. I am a passionate girl. I need to check myself!
The perfect place or state of mind?
The Inuit territory, the tundra, the immense horizon. And the mountains where I come from, in Salluit. There, nature puts us in our place! It has this power to make us understand that we cannot control everything. It’s very powerful to be in front of this immensity and these talking mountains.
An advantage of being selfish?
Yes there is. Especially for women. To find a balance between men and women, to rectify the past, women need to take their place and not apologize for being selfish. It’s still the place to be.
A quality you will never have?
Athletic ! I gave up a long time ago. I like running, but I have no interest in competing.
A recurring dream or nightmare?
I have a dream that comes back often. I am in a very tall building and I have to walk on small lines without falling. I am dizzy. It’s not fun. When I have this dream, it is an indication that there is something going on in my head. I need to find more peace.
A perfect place to dream and create?
At home, in front of a window, when the children are not there. I have the ability to go on a trip in my own home.
A beautiful death, in your opinion?
I think about death often. In my culture, it is not a taboo. Life and death coexist and I find that very healthy. I lost both parents and my biological white father in a short period of time.
I hope to die in acceptance, without being bitter or unhappy. And having time to go and make declarations of love to people. I find it inspiring. I don’t want to die suddenly.
What annoys you in life?
Children who suffer because the adults around them are not doing well. There’s nothing worse. Injustices against children always make me want to cry.
Visit the artist’s website