Call for Artists: Children's Book for Ikayuut Solar Project in Naujaat

Kivalliq Alternative Energy
Mar 31
3 min read

Updated: 11 minutes ago

Kivalliq Alternative Energy

Published April 1, 2025

Kivalliq Alternative Energy (KAE) in partnership with Sakku Investments Corporation (SIC), is seeking creative talent to develop a children’s book as part of the Ikayuut Solar Energy Project in Naujaat, Nunavut. This book will serve as an educational and cultural resource that helps children understand solar energy through the lens of Inuit knowledge, history, and language. By blending local stories and traditional ways of understanding the sun and energy with science and environmental themes, the book will help connect young readers to the purpose and impact of this solar project in their community.

About the Ikayuut Solar Project

The Ikayuut Solar and Energy Storage Project will provide 30% of Naujaat’s electricity using locally-produced renewable energy. This helps reduce reliance on imported diesel fuel and strengthens community energy security. The name Ikayuut, meaning “help, support, or resources” in Inuktitut, reflects how this project will support Naujaat’s electrical grid, and clean energy future.

Bringing the Story to Life

We welcome proposals from writers, illustrators, artists, or teams with creative ideas. You might be:

A writer with a story idea that connects Inuit traditions to energy and the environment
An illustrator who wants to bring a local story to life
A team that includes a local elder or storyteller, writer, and artist working together

We are particularly interested in:

A story that blends traditional knowledge (i.e. about the sun or whale oil) with modern solar energy
Illustrations that reflect the people, landscape, and culture of Naujaat
A narrative that helps young readers understand how solar energy works and why it matters
Inclusion of Inuktitut language to support cultural preservation and learning.

Budget and Support

A budget of $10,000 - $25,000 is available for this project, to cover all necessary costs to develop and complete the book, including any travel or translation expenses. Shortlisted candidates will receive a $1,000 honorarium to refine their proposals for final selection.

How to Apply

Please send a short proposal that includes:

A brief description of your story idea
Preliminary sketches or samples of previous illustration work (if available)
A plan for involving Naujaat community members in the development of the story
A plan for how Inuktitut language will be included

Deadline: Call will remain open until candidate is found. Apply by May 15, 2025 for best consideration.

Submit to: Hayley Robb at hrobb@northernenergycapital.com 

Questions? Contact Hayley at hrobb@northernenergycapital.com or 403-404-7622

Looking for inspiration?

Check out The Winds Over Whitehorse, a storybook created as part of the Haeckel Hill-Thay T'äw Wind Energy Project in Whitehorse, Yukon. Adapted from the lived experience and oral history of KDFN Elder Ä́yenjìatà Louie Smith, this children’s book blends Southern Tutchone language, cultural storytelling, and renewable energy education.

Download KAE's Call for Expressions of Interest [ENGLISH]

Download KAE's Call for Expressions of Interest [INUKTITUT]

About Kivalliq Alternative Energy

Kivalliq Alternative Energy (KAE) is at the forefront of the clean energy transformation in Nunavut's Kivalliq region. Our mission is to develop renewable energy-generating sources that boost energy independence for remote communities. Our projects nurture community benefits, grow local capacity and lay the foundations for Kivalliq’s clean energy future. KAE is an Inuit-led partnership between Sakku Investments Corporation (SIC) and Northern Energy Capital (NEC).