Inuk singer with ties to Kamloops dies at 26

An Inuk singer who rose to fame from a YouTube cover of Rihanna's hit song, Diamonds, has died at the age of 26.

Kelly Fraser was living in Winnipeg and died earlier this week, according to friends. The cause of her death has not been revealed.

Fraser had moved to Kamloops earlier this year to work on her music career as well as to teach her Inuit culture through her art in B.C.'s Interior. She had moved to the Tournament Capital to be closer to her partner, she said at the time. Fraser was raised in Sanikiluaq, Nunavut.

READ MORE: Inuk pop artist ready to strengthen Inuit culture in B.C. Interior

The artist became well-known for translating popular pop songs from English to Inukitut. Her 2017 pop album, Sedna, was nominated for Juno Award and won best pop album at the Indigenous Music Awards.

When Fraser was in Kamloops, she was working on her third album, De-Colonize and was hoping to host workshops on Indigenous culture. Fraser was also heavily passionate about music education in Indigenous communities and was the co-founder of Nunavut Hitmakerz, which provides workshops in Inuktitut to underfunded communities.

The Inuk artist began her music career at a young age and by age 11 she was playing the guitar. Years later she formed her first band.

A GoFundMe campaign to support her siblings was launched. Donations can be made by going here. 

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— With files from The Canadian Press.

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