Kelly Fraser, an acclaimed Inuk singer-songwriter born in Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, who had been living in Winnipeg, has died at age 26.
Fraser’s advocacy on behalf of youth and her Inuit throat-singing talents gained her a faithful following.
The cause of Fraser’s death earlier this week in the Manitoba capital hasn’t been announced.
After starting on guitar at age 11 and forming a band at 15, she rose to fame in 2012 after her sparkling Inuktitut cover of Rihanna’s Diamonds went viral.
Fraser released her first album, Isuma, in 2014. Her second album, Sedna in 2017, was nominated for best Indigenous music album at the 2018 Juno Awards honouring Canadian music.
Fraser also received the 2019 Indspire Award, recognizing First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals who demonstrate outstanding achievement.
Fraser talks of cultural pride in CBC doc
CBC released a documentary a year ago about the Inuit artist titled Kelly Fraser: Fight for the Rights in which she says she wants to increase cultural pride among youth in her community. Kelly’s story was part of The National‘s series “Seen and heard: Intimate stories of extraordinary lives.”
Fraser’s family has asked for privacy at this time.
No funeral arrangements have been announced.
A GoFundMe campaign to support her siblings was launched Thursday.