Becky Han wins Qilaut songwriting contest

The results of the 2016 Qilaut Inuktut songwriting contest are in with Becky Han taking first and second place.

"I was in disbelief, I was excited, just really over the moon," she told CBC North.

The musician, originally from Arctic Bay, will receive $7,500 in prize money — $5,000 for her first place song '786' and $2,500 for second place song 'Qaariaq.'

Third place and $1,500 went to Looee Arreak. The seven ​runners-up will each receive $500.

Nunavut's Department of Culture and Heritage launched the songwriting competition in 2015 to celebrate Nunavut's Inuktut music scene and promote the use of the language. This year's competition focused on children's music.

A growing audience

Han started her public music career 10 years ago by posting videos to Facebook, so her parents could see her after she moved to Brandon, Manitoba.

"I still get my moments, where I get homesick especially in springtime," said Han, who still lives in Brandon.

"I think that's also the reason why I love writing in Inuktitut and singing in my language so much, because it makes me feel closer or connected to back home and just keeping the language alive that way."

She said that while she never thought she would get to where she is now, she realized her audience was growing.

A friend called her one day to say, "'guess what, I heard someone humming one of your songs at work today,'" she said. 

"It's very flattering and it's kind of hard to believe. But I am glad [my songs] are getting the positive feedback and people don't hate them."

And the good news for Han keeps coming. She just accepted the opportunity to open for Nunavut superstar Tanya Tagaq in March.

"If there was ever someone I could open for it would have always been her," Han said.

"Someone I've always looked up to both as an artist and a friend, it's amazing, really amazing."

A little help from her sister

For her winning compositions, Han did have some songwriting help from her sister Tracy May.

She said when she was entering the contest she jokingly asked her sister, "if I win, do you want 10 per cent?"

May just asked for Han to take her to dinner.

After Han won, she called her sister and asked more seriously about the 10 per cent. But May still just wants dinner with her sister, and added, "in Iqaluit, it will cost the same.'"

The winning list

"Fifteen songs were submitted by emerging and well-seasoned ​Nunavut musicians. The songs were evaluated on their originality, creativity, melody and lyrics," the Department of Culture and Heritage wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.

Here are the winners:

1. 786, by Becky Han and Tracy May
2. Qaariaq, by Becky Han and Tracy May
3. Paurit Qajaqturit, by Looee Arreak
4. Uumajuit Uqausingit, by Looee Arreak
5. Uvangaugiaq Quviakkama, by Looee Arreak
6. Quviasuliqpunga Ilingniarniarama, by Joan Friesen and Pallulaaq Friesen
7. Upin nga'haaq, by Gordon Kaniak and Ben Timmins
8. Silamut Anigama, by the Early Childhood Education Program students (Iqaluit)
9. Inuktitut Uqausira, by Looee Arreak
10. Surusikuluulluni Niviaqsiakuluulluni, by Daniel Taukie