“It’s a real passion”

By SARAH ROGERS

Elijah Annanack managed to keep his talent a secret for awhile.

But more than a year ago, his teacher noticed the Kangiqsualujjuaq student using a search engine on a school computer to look up the words “Hohner”: Hohner is a German maker of musical instruments and Annanack liked to look at their accordions.

The teacher, Carrie Powers, then asked Annanack if he hoped to buy one.

Powers said she was “surprised” when the 15-year-old brought in a Hohner accordion and played it in her classroom.

“I couldn’t believe how good he was,” said Powers, who has taught at Ulluriaq School since 2007. “And he taught himself to play.”

A self-trained musician, Annanack can play a reel on his accordion with confidence, showing a love for the rhythm and movement of the traditional Irish and Scottish tunes many Inuit musicians play today.

The Hohner accordion isn’t Annanack’s – it belongs to the local community centre, which loaned it to him.

Annanack has a severe learning disability; he struggles with hearing loss, poor eyesight and language delay. His teachers worry there’s not enough support to help the Grade 7 student through secondary school.

So music has become more than just a pass-time — music could become Annanack’s future, now that others have taken notice of his playing.

Since his talent was discovered at Ulluriaq School, Annanack has played for Kangiqsualujjuaq’s childcare centre, at a community concert and, most recently, was invited to play at the Snow Festival in Puvirnituq.

Annanack’s talent has impressed people in the community who have known him his entire life.

“I didn’t know he played the accordion, I had no idea,” said Rosie Etok, who works as a teacher’s assistant with Annanack. “I was touched when I saw how well he played – the accordion is my favourite instrument.”

Etok and Powers have now helped the young musician realize one of his dreams. The three will fly to Germany next week to visit the famous Hohner headquarters in person.

In Trossingen, Germany, Annanack will get a private tour of the centuries-old Hohner factory and museum, where he’ll get to try out once of their accordions.

“They’re very excited to have him,” Powers said. “They have lots of questions about the North.”

For Annanack’s part, this is the first time he’ll travel farther than Montreal.

Powers has been working with him on some basic German phrases, such as bitte (please) and danke (thank you).

The trio will also visit the city of Weimar, known for its cultural heritage, where they’ll get a tour of some of the local music schools.

Brighter Futures, Makivik Corp., the Kativik Regional Government and other community organizations are covering the cost of the trip.

Powers hopes the experience will encourage Annanack to keep playing music.

People in Kangiqsualujjuaq has been supportive of his talent, Powers says, and she’s hopeful they’ll consider hiring Annanack to play at community events and dances.

Powers said that discovering Annanack’s talent was a lesson for her and other families and caregivers of people living with disabilities.

“It’s important to find out what they truly love to do,” she said. “I think here in the North, sometimes there is less opportunity for these students and maybe they don’t get the chance to develop their talents.

“Elijah’s been fortunate to find his – it’s a real passion.”