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Puhitaq: The Sunburst Parka Hood Trim made by Colleen Novoligak. |
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Upluqtuhiliqtuq
The Return of the Sun
The sun has returned and is getting higher in the sky. And we have been getting more and more active. January and February have been very busy with workshops transmitting women's and men's knowledge.
Inuinnait survival has always depended on the practice and passing on of women's and men's knowledge. These past two months have seen the women learning to make mother hubbard style parkas, and then learning to make sunburst-style parka hood trim.
On the men's side we have been equally busy making fish nets, harpoon shafts, harpoon heads, and snow knives. These tools are part of preparations for land-based skills workshops in March and later in the spring.
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Angnannak Puvviujalik
Mother Hubbard Parka Making
Over the last two months X apprentice seamstresses have been learning how to make the traditional Angnannak Puvviujalik or Mother Hubbard style parka.
The parka uses a cover of calico material is different patterns, it has a colorful band of geometric patterns called the Delta Trim. The parkas bottom and sleeves were traditionally decorated with wolverine fur trim. And of course the hood is trimmed with the striking sunburst fur trim.
This parka style first came to the Inuinnait in the 1920s via Alaska and the Mackenzie Delta. It was originally introduced to Alaska by Christian missionaries, and can be traced back to earlier trade between the Hawaiian Islands, China and Alaska.
To learn more about the history of Inuinnait clothing traditions see the Patterns of Change Guidebook. |
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ABOVE: (Left) Elsie Bellerose helped by instructor Eileen Okhina. (Right) Elsie Bellerose traces a pattern.
BELOW: The beautiful multi-colored work of the participants. |
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| ABOVE: (Left) Alice Maghagak working on the sewing machine. (Right) Alice Maghagak modeling her finished parka. |
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Puhitaq
The Sunburst Hood Trim
The making of the Puhitaq is the finishing touch to the Mother Hubbard parka. Workshop participants first completed their Mother Hubbard and then started in on the Puhitaq.
The Puhitaq is made of two different kinds of fur sewn onto a rigid backing so that it stands up. The outermost fur is wolf while the inner most fur is wolverine. The Puhitaq makes the Mother Hubbard parka all the more striking with its bright colors and bold patterns. |
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ABOVE: (Left) Colleen Novoligak places the wolf fur for her puhitaq. (Right) Christa Lee Koaha sewing her puhitaq.
BELOW (Left): Colleen Novoligak sewing her puhitaq onto her parka. (Right): Colleen Novoligak modeling her finished parka with puhitaq beside Cultural Programs Coordinator Helen Blewett. |
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Kuvjaq
Fish Net Making Workshop
We are very excited to see the beginning of workshops and programming focusing specifically on men's knowledge. We started this year with a January workshop on fish net making led by George Angohiatok.
This is the first of many workshops planned this year to teach the making of the basic tool kit for land based harvesting. The tools will then be used in the field during on the land workshops.
An extended trip is planned for mid-March to learn how to set nets and learn the basics of safe winter travel.
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ABOVE (L to R): Sammy Ehaloak, Gibson Kaosoni, George Angohiatok and Gordon Kaniak beginning a fish net.
BELOW: (Left) Sammy Ehaloak and George Angohiatok working on the net while Darcy Kanayok observes. (Right) Gordon Kaniak works with the net shuttle while Gibson Kaosoni assists. |
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Hanalrutit
Tools
Our series of workshops and activities focusing on men's knowledge will include making the different elements of the hunter's basic tool kit.
In February our coordinator of men's programming Charlie Ikkutisluk organized a harpoon and snow knife making workshop with instructor David Nakashook. The participants made harpoons heads, harpoon shafts and snow knives. Harpoon shafts are essential to seal hunting but are also used without the heads to search for seal holes, and to probe the snow looking for the quality of snow needed for iglu building.
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ABOVE: Silas Naujuq holding his finished harpoon.
BELOW: (Left) David Nakashook (facing) working with Darcy Kanayok. (Right) Darcy Kanayok works on the fine details of his harpoon shaft. |
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| ABOVE: (Left) Gibson Kaosoni shaping his harpoon head. (Right) A finished harpoon head. BELOW: (Left) Silas Naujuq shaping his snowknife handle. (Right) A completed snowknife. |
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Together, we can continue to support the resurgence of our language and culture. Every day, we're working to ensure that our values and worldview are passed on to the next generation.
100% of donations support the programs and activities making this happen.
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Nunavut government must do more to reclaim Inuktut for Inuit
An opinion piece submitted to the Globe and Mail by Aluki Kotierk, President, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
Give it a read
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With old traditions and new tech, young Inuit chart their changing landscape
The Narwhal Magazine
Give it a read |
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We're a leader for culture and heritage in Nunavut, guided by an Inuinnaq Executive Director and Inuinnait Board. We address projects of critical importance to the revival of Inuit culture, language and history. We focus on the critical needs of Inuinnait—a distinct regional group of Inuit living in the Central Canadian Arctic.
Our mission is to preserve and renew Inuinnait knowledge, language and culture for the benefit of all Inuit.
Our vision is to concentrate and connect the resources, expertise and technology critical to Inuinnait cultural and linguistic survival.
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