'Not Inuk enough to be Inuk, not white enough to fit in': This musician is carving her own identity

Kathleen Ivaluarjuk Merritt is a throat singer who tours internationally, collaborating with artists across genres. And the music she creates has been an indispensable tool for Merritt, who's used her art as a way to help find her identity as both Irish and Inuk.

Growing up, Merritt says she had questions about her mixed heritage. So she began to explore her family history — and her album Icelines and Sealskin is part of the product of that quest.

Now, as an ambassador for Inuit culture, it's important for her to keep learning stories and traditions from her elders and her community. It's the sharing of these stories that keep Inuit tradition and culture alive. So she spends her time both touring and teaching workshops to youth in her own community and across Nunavut.

In this video, Merritt takes you through her journey to learn her family's history and bring both her Inuk and Irish background into her throat singing. (And as you'll see, she holds a special place in her heart for Nova Scotia, its people and the land.)

You can see Kathleen Merritt performing in Iqaluit at Inuksuk High School on September 30, in Sydney, NS at Centre 200 on October 6 and in Baddeck, NS at Wagmatcook Culture and Heritage Centre on October 7. Check here for more dates across the country.

Watch Exhibitionists on Friday nights at 12:30 a.m. (1 NT) and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. (4NT) on CBC Television.