Colin Adjun has passed away. Colin, known as the Fiddler of the Arctic, a beloved northern musician who loved to play his fiddle and loved to watch people jig to his music passed away at age 77.
Adjun began playing the fiddle when he was just 10 years old when he bought his first fiddle for $15. He sold the sealskin jacket his mother had made him for the funds to buy the fiddle. He said he really wanted that fiddle.
Over the years, Colin played at just about every music venue in the NWT and all across the Arctic and at one point was even asked if he wanted to go professional. He said no, that he wasn’t that kind of person and stayed with his career as a wildlife officer in his home territory of Nunavut.
Long time jigging dancer Fred Arey from Aklavik remembered Colin with fondness.
“I was at the Midway Lake Music Festival and Colin came up shook my hand and then asked me if I was going to dance. I said yes, and Colin said “Okay, Red River Jig at 12:01am” Arey says “I didn’t get off that dance floor until 7:30am, I waved at Colin and said “Thank you for that awesome dance, I danced so hard, my legs are just stiff” and Colin said “You’re a great dancer, Fred and I thank you for not wasting fiddle music”
Colin produced a CD in 1995 with his original tunes such as Beluga Waters, Gustin’s Reel (for his son Gustin) and the Politicians Jig to name a few. He also wrote a catchy fiddle tune called “After the Storm Jig” about the excitement of his dogs after a bad storm had snowed them in.
Colin Adjun’s willingness to share his music with anyone who was interested in learning; his humbleness about his talent are the words heard the most about him from the people who knew him. His infectious and welcoming smile brought people from all walks of life together. He will be missed by many.
