The Ookpik Waltz (also spelled Utpick, Ootpik, or Ook Pick Waltz) is a composition by British Columbia fiddler Frankie Rodgers (1936-2009), written in 1965. The tune was first recorded on his (c. 1960’s) LP “Maple Sugar, Fiddle Favorites by Canada’s Old Time Fiddle King Frankie Rodgers”.

Despite suggestions that it has indigenous roots, it was not derived from Native American sources. The name “Ookpik” does have genuine Inuit connections — the word Ookpik is Inuktitut for “snowy” or “Arctic owl.”

The waltz is written in G Major (‘A’ part) & E Minor (‘B’ part) and follows a standard 3/4 waltz time signature. It quickly became widely disseminated and popular among many North American fiddling genres after being played as a contest waltz in the early 1970s. The piece is also known by several alternative names including Canadian Waltz, Eskimo Waltz, and various spellings of the original title.