Kihiani: A Memoir of Healing by Susan Aglukark and Andrea Warner: REVIEW

Synopsis

Susan Aglukark, an award-winning Inuk singer/songwriter here in Canada, tells the story of her happy early childhood, a childhood trauma that changed everything, and her long journey of healing.

My Review

Susan Aglukark has always meant a lot to me. Her biggest hit, “O Siem,” came out in 1995, when I was going through the worst year of my life. The message of that song, that all humans are equal and we should tear down the walls that divide us, spoke to me on a deep level, and may have even helped shape the way I see the world. Because of that song, I bought her two albums, and I heard the songs she’d written about her trauma and pain, the ones that didn’t make it to the radio.

It was probably the first time I’d heard songs that were neither about Christian praise nor romantic love, but about the kind of heart-wrenching human experience that I was deep in the throes of. Because of that, I felt a connection to Susan Aglukark that I hadn’t felt for a “celebrity” before. She didn’t seem like a celebrity at all, really. I’ve never met her, but she always seemed approachable, kind, compassionate, and just a little bit sad. I needed that then.

Kihiani

Susan explains that “Kihiani” in her native language means “because we must,” and that became her mantra when she was depressed and didn’t feel like she could do all the things she needed to do. I’ve had a similar mantra the last few years – “I don’t want to, but I have to, so I will.” I hadn’t heard or seen anything from Susan Aglukark in almost 2 decades until I heard that she’d published this memoir, and yet somehow we’re still in sync. (She even talks about enjoying the thriller/horror genre and finding it comforting, despite weird looks from her family. Same, girl, same!)

Trauma

My trauma and Susan’s trauma come from very different sources, just so we’re clear. I was never targeted by a pedophile as she was. But this isn’t yet another “I was sexually abused as a child, let me detail it for you” memoir. She barely offers any details at all, which is refreshing. Instead, this is a memoir about her healing journey, and in that regard, she offers plenty of insights that could apply to the healing of any trauma. For instance, she talks about learning self-forgiveness, and finding out what you need to forgive yourself for. I had to sit with that thought for a minute and let it sink in.

Also, whether you grew up with her music as I did or not, the chapters where she explains her inspiration for each of her songs are moving and thought-provoking. I listened to each song as I read about them, and I came to understand their messages much more deeply. They’re true poetry that speak to the soul.

The Arctic Rose Foundation and activism

“If the last thing I do with my life is change our laws so that predators and pedophiles are placed on another planet, that’s what I will do.” (Kihiani, p. 216)

Susan also talks a lot in this memoir about her activism, and how she has used her platform as an artist to help her people. Since coming forward about her childhood abuse, she has been a fierce warrior for abused and traumatized children and youths, especially those of northern Canada. She founded the Arctic Rose Foundation, which promotes healing and support for northern Indigenous kids through art and mentorship, and she’s always advocating for tougher penalties for pedophiles, better support for addiction and mental illness, as well as literacy and food security in remote places. She’s an awesome lady who has lived (and hopefully will continue to live for a long, long time) an exemplary life. Kihiani.

Conclusion

This is a very simple, humble, unpretentious memoir about healing from trauma. Susan Aglukark is a very private person, so she only opens up as much as she needs to for her message to break through. That makes this a much more comforting read than most memoirs involving child abuse. Plus, if you’re a fan of her music, you’ll walk away with more insight into her career and writing process than you previously had. I highly recommend it.

You can purchase Kihiani here on Bookshop.org*, or look for it wherever you get books.
*I’ll receive a small commission from any purchase made through this link.