Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory, BA'04

Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory, BA’04, is a true multifaceted force in the performing arts.  Based in Iqaluit, Nunavut, and of Greenlandic Inuk heritage, she is a distinguished performance artist celebrated for her mastery of uaajeerneq, the traditional Greenlandic mask dance. Her talents extend beyond performance; she is also a poet, actor, curator, storyteller and writer. Her profound impact on the arts is further amplified through her co-founding of Qaggiavuut!, the Inuit Performing Arts Society, where she ventured to shape the future of Inuit performing arts as its artistic director. Since leaving Qaggiavuut! three years ago, she has been working full time as a self employed artist.

Williamson Bathory's career is distinguished by numerous prestigious accolades that reflect her profound impact on the arts. In 2021, she received the Sobey Art Award, one of Canada's most esteemed contemporary art prizes. The previous year, she was honoured as the inaugural winner of the Sinchi Indigenous Art Award for her achievements. In 2018, her performance prowess earned her the title of Best Performer from the Toronto Theatre Critics Association. That same year, she and her collaborators received the Dora Mavor Moore Award for their work on Kiinalik: These Sharp Tools, and she co-won the award for Most Outstanding New Play. Williamson Bathory was also the inaugural recipient of the 2018 Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Prize. In 2017, she received the Indigenous Art Award and, in 2016, she and her team were co-winners of the Arctic Inspiration Prize for the Inuit developed housing Qaggiq Project.  

"My closest family, my mother and my kids and my husband have been incredibly supportive in helping me expand on my artistic career," Williamson Bathory says.  

She also acknowledges the significant influence of her extended family in Greenland. She is also grateful to her friend and colleague, Taqralik Partridge, who nominated her for the award, and Dr. Anna Hutchins from York University for their continuous support. 

"I did an honours degree in political science at UCalgary. A friend of mine the other day was talking about how you sail a boat against the wind; you tack, you know, using the keel and the sail,” Williamson Bathory shares when reflecting on her academic journey. “I feel like that's what I did with my honours degree — tacking against the wind, using a political science degree to create art."  

This unique path, though unconventional, provided her with the critical analysis skills needed to enrich her artistic endeavours. Collaboration stands at the heart of Williamson Bathory's work.  

"For me, collaborative work is the ultimate goal and gift of my work,” she says. “To be able to contribute to a project, performance, object as a part of a group of brilliant minds and make something that is larger than each of us individually is incredibly rewarding."    

Williamson Bathory finds the dynamic and exciting nature of collaborative projects to be a constant source of inspiration and growth. Her art serves as a powerful medium to advocate for gender equality and Indigenous political voices. She dedicates her work to challenging misconceptions about Inuit culture, urging non-Inuit to reassess their cultural biases and engage with her people’s heritage. Her international collaborations and performances have elevated the visibility of Inuit culture, making her a celebrated figure in both Canada and Greenland. 

Committed to nurturing the next generation of Inuit leaders, Williamson Bathory emphasizes the transformative power of performing arts in fostering resilient and vibrant communities. Her dedication to cultural preservation and advocacy continues to inspire Indigenous artists and significantly contributes to the cultural tapestry of Canada.