How should we describe what you do — are you a singer or a motivational speaker, or some combination thereof?

It’s a combination because what we will be presenting in Brandon is a speaking presentation that incorporates songs written around turning points, or low moments . . . a combination of both.

What motivated you to become a spokesperson for your Aboriginal brotherhood?

A lot of it is because the career is not something I had left small-town Nunavut to pursue. Like many Aboriginal professionals — quote, unquote — we often find ourselves in a career choice that we really want, but find ourselves overwhelmed by it, and I was certainly in that situation early in my career, so I think there are a lot of parallels between my story and that of what I hope will be aspiring young professionals in the audience.

Who are you striving to reach with your message when you come to Brandon?

Primarily young professionals. Young people who have maybe identified a career choice, but don’t quite know how to take that next step forward . . . our potential young university students or aspiring professionals.

What do you recall about your first trip out of the far north?

Trees. Our first trip south — and yes, south is Winnipeg — and I remember my sister and I getting all excited about a tree that unbeknownst to us, was on private property. We’d seen it on Sesame Street, so ‘let’s climb the tree.’ To which my dad frantically pulled us back and said, ‘no, that’s private property. You can’t go on that tree. So he took us to a park to find a tree. That’s my first Canadian experience.

How did your life change after your big hit record, O Siem, hit the charts a few years ago?

I can honestly say it was a positive change. The biggest thing was realizing that major label or not, it was the big time, and it meant that your private life was no longer private. It comes with the territory to a degree.

Did you make a whole whack of dough off it?

No. I wish. This is the thing about part of the presentation. Because I open it up to questions and the biggest question is: Are you a millionaire, do you have lots of money, do you live in a mansion, do you have a driver? And I say, ‘no, no, no’ to all those questions. In fact, we just bought our first house, and all this fun stuff. So no, to answer your question, I didn’t make a whack of money.

One website mentions that you’re a hockey mom to son Cameron. What kind of enjoyment does that bring you?

I guess like most parents, he’s just incredible to me to watch. It’s just a matter of watching your children enjoying themselves and I love watching him set goals and work toward them. He’s a goalie, of all things, so one of the most stressful for all parents. I enjoy watching the pleasure on his face when he wins a game.

Motherhood, a successful career, Order of Canada, singing for the Queen? What’s left?

There’s lots. I just recently became the chair of a foundation and it has given me a chance to find a home for some of the projects that have been kind of percolating for the last couple of years. So that’s going to start, hopefully, in the next six months to a year. There’s always stuff to do.

How much of a conversation were you able to have with Queen Elizabeth, if any?

Absolutely none. Not even a ‘hi’. You just bow. You don’t even shake hands. I can’t recall having any contact with her.

When it comes time to write the story of your life, what will the title be?

Oh, my goodness. I’ve never thought of it. I haven’t thought that far ahead.

If you could trade places with one person for one day, who would it be?

Any crew person for U2. I’d love to tour with U2.

How often do you return to visit family in Nunavut?

I get home at least, whether it’s personal or work-related, once or twice a year. We try to get up two or three times to visit family

Where’s a new place in the world where you would like to perform?

I’d love to go to Germany and that area.

You seem like the perfect candidate for a political career. Anything happening in that regard?

No, and it’s something that I steer far away from. I really believe that I can do more work as an advocate through foundations and non-profit stuff than I could as an elected member, so I’ve chosen to stay away from that for the time being.

What do you miss most about living in the North?

Fishing. I love ice-fishing. I love being on the land. Anything related to the land and camping or fishing, I miss the most.