Simeonie Keenainak (born 1948) is an Inuk accordionist and retired RCMP officer from Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Canada. He is also a photographer, teacher and hunter."Hearings underway on potential oil and gas work in eastern Nunavut waters". Nunasaiq News, 19 March 2019 by Jane George 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."NACO in the North: This former Mountie always hits the right note". Ottawa Citizen, Neco Cockburn, 10.29.2012 Growing up, he learned traditional hunting skills."Pangnirtung, Nunavut lands its bowhead whale". CBC News, 7 August 2013
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.Canadian Folk Music Bulletin: Inuit Accordion Music-A Better Kept Secret (PDF format, March–June 2000, by Jim Hiscott
After retiring from the police force, Keenainak worked as a high school shop teacher," say climate change impacts their way of life". Duluth News Tribune, 25 Mar 2007 began teaching traditional skills to young people,› canada › ottawa-citizen "Life in Limbo". Ottawa Citizen, 2007-11-10 and became involved in nature photography.Mirror Writing: (re-)constructions of Native American Identity. Galda & Wilch; 2000. . p. 260. He continued to hunt and to play on the accordion, including a 2012 performance with the National Arts Centre Orchestra.Sarah Jennings. Art and Politics: The History of the National Arts Centre, Second Edition. MQUP; 17 October 2019. . p. 399.
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."Stories from Our Land". Gimme Some Truth website. 20 February 2014
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)