Simeonie Keenainak

Simeonie Keenainak is an Inuit accordionist and retired RCMP officer from Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Canada.  He is also a photographer, teacher and hunter.  He has performed at the Pangnirtung Music Festival and was featured in regional and national media for his musicianship and cultural community efforts. 

Early life
Keenainak was born about 60 kilometres north of Pangnirtung.  Growing up, he learned  traditional hunting skills. 

Career
Keenainak began acting as a guide for the RCMP, and later became a constable.  He also performed around the north on the accordion; in 1996 he participated in the CBC's Inuit Button Accordion Festival. 

After retiring from the police force, Keenainak worked as a high school shop teacher, began teaching traditional skills to young people, and became involved in nature photography.  He continued to hunt and to play on the accordion, including a 2012 performance with the National Arts Centre Orchestra. 

A 2012 short documentary about Inuit music, Inngiruti - The Thing that Sings!,  in which Keenainak performs and is interviewed, was filmed by Nyla Innuksuk through the National Film Board. 

In 2019 he represented the local hunters' association at hearings about oil and gas development in the arctic. 

Personal
Simeonie and Daisy Keenainak have been married since 1967. 

References

External links

Legislative Assembly of Nunavut: comments by Hon.  Jack Anawak (PDF format, 1 November 2002, p1507)

Category:Living people
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Canadian accordionists
Category:Inuit from the Northwest Territories
Category:Inuit photographers
Category:Inuit musicians
Category:People from Pangnirtung
Category:Musicians from Nunavut
Category:Inuit from Nunavut
Category:21st-century accordionists