Tutanuak, Sam - Utiqpungaa

Tracks

		Track Name	Length
	1	Aiyaaya	04:10
	2	Utiqpungaa	04:02
	3	Sivulivut Taipsumani	04:39
	4	Quviaagiiyakaguvin	03:26
	5	Piqatigiyaga	04:12
	6	Nagligusungniq	03:57
	7	Piikatik	03:10
	8	The Three Musicians	03:18
	9	Nunavut	03:43
	10	Nutaqakaa	02:44

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Information/Write-up

On Utiqpungaa (Inuktitut for “I have returned”), Sam Tutanuak crafts a deeply personal and quietly powerful debut—one that stands among the most compelling recordings to emerge from Nunavut’s contemporary music scene. Sung in a mix of Inuktitut and English, the ten-track album reflects both the intimate and the expansive: stories of family and home resonate beside broader themes of cultural pride, healing, and spiritual endurance.

Tutanuak’s voice is warm and unpretentious, carrying the poetic weight of his lyrics with humility and strength. The musical palette is rich but unforced—rooted in folk and country-rock traditions, but laced with the gentle shadows of blues and the atmospheric sweep of classic rock. There are moments here that evoke the emotional sincerity of Leonard Cohen, the earthy grit of CCR, and even the introspective drift of early Pink Floyd—yet the sound remains wholly Tutanuak’s own.

Backed by seasoned musicians like Kaylen Prescott, Curtis Chaffey, and Randall Prescott, the arrangements are tastefully rendered: acoustic guitars ring out against subtle keyboard textures, while the heartbeat of the qilautik drum ties the music to its Northern roots. Tracks like “Utiqpungaa” and “Piqatigiyaqa” feel like campfire confessions, while “The Three Musicians,” co-written with his daughter Karen, is a standout tribute to family and generational connection.

Originally released on CD and shared via grassroots channels like Myspace and direct email, Utiqpungaa remains a rare and cherished document of one man’s return—not only to music, but to a sense of self reclaimed. In its sincerity, its softness, and its sense of place, this album is both a personal milestone and a quiet landmark in Indigenous Canadian recording.
-Robert Williston

Sam Tutanuak: vocals
Nathan Jubb: qilautik drum
Sam Tutanuak: qilautik drum, acoustic guitar, background vocals
Kaylen Prescott: acoustic guitar, background vocals
Adam Puddington: acoustic guitar, bass
Curtis Chaffey: acoustic guitar, lead guitar
Jamie Urie: drums, percussion
Matt Chaffey: keyboards
Randall Prescott: mandola, harmonica
Kelly Prescott: background vocals

All songs written by Sam Tutanuak except “The Three Musicians” co-written by Karen Tutanuak

Produced by Kaylen Prescott & Randall Prescott
Engineered by Marty Jones, Gareth Auden-Hole, Nathan Jubb, and Kaylen Prescott
Mixed & Mastered by Marty Jones and Randall Prescott
Pre-Production by Adam Puddington & Curtis Chaffey
Recorded at Lakeside Studio

I would like to thank the following people:
To Bernie, my wife — thank you for the unconditional support from the start. To my three beautiful children Karen, James, and Samantha — you are my inspiration. To my sister Emily — thank you for everything!

To Randall, Tracey, Kelly, and Kaylen — thank you for the experience of a lifetime, your amazing hospitality, and your help with the production of this CD, along with Marty, Gareth, Kaylen, and Nathan.

To the band — Matt, Curtis, Jamie, Kaylen, and Adam — thank you for being perfectionists while working on this album.

To my four-legged friends — Bear, Nacho, Kenai, Rascal, and the toothless wonder, Jack — you’re part of this too.

To Randall — I could not have pulled this off without your guidance. Thank you so much.

I dedicate this album to all the people I’ve mentioned because of your huge support!

Special Thanks
To Kivalliq Partners in Development and to Nunavut Government Economic Development for your support.

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