Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services

IQALUIT (May 10/99) - Six artists came together to create Nunavut's new mace, which is the symbol of the authority of the House Speaker.

Sam Pitsiulak (Kimmirut), Joseph Suqslaq (Gjoa Haven), Mariano Aupilardjuk (Rankin Inlet), Mathew Nuqingaq (Iqaluit), Paul Malliki (Repulse Bay) and Inuk Charlie (Cambridge Bay) were assembled from the three regions, two from each.

The experience, according to Charlie -- an accomplished carver and jeweller -- was intense and hectic. So much so that he's been taking some time off to take care of other important matters -- like family, for instance -- before getting to work again. He purposely hasn't touched his tools since finishing the mace.

"I've got so many ideas -- I learned some new techniques from the other guys -- I'm really looking forward to getting back to work. I've been trying not to touch the tools a lot because it's hard to let go once you start on something -- the rock takes life in itself. All the other things you need to get done start to suffer."

For Charlie, working on a project of this magnitude, with a group, was a new experience.

"It was a lot better than I expected," begins Charlie.

"When you bring a range of good artists together it always seems there's going to be either someone dominant, or there's going to be some form of conflict among one another -- because everybody's so used to working on their own. And of course, when you have a group like that it's hard to get your message across."

Charlie notes that that type of dynamic didn't happen with this group.

"There was none of that, period," he says.

"I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that the very first thing we did was go to the elder and ask, 'how do you want us to do this?'"

The elder of the group was Aupilardjuk.

"He said -- and his very words are -- this is symbolic for Inuit, it has to have Inuit accent to it. Not only that but you have to work as Inuit, who have worked together in the past to get us to the present day."

"Knowing that, how could you get out of line?" asks Charlie.

One element Aupilardjuk felt was necessary to include was a crown, to signify respect for the Queen of England.

"It was shaped in our own imagination," Charlie explains. "It came out to be four loons."

Charlie remembers Aupilardjuk's next instructions.

"After the crown you put in what you have best to offer, but it has to be team work."

"We decided that we were going to follow our elder and if it pleases our elder, that's good enough with us," says Charlie.

"I guess that's the reason there was no tension among the artists at all. If there was I didn't see it, I didn't feel it. So I'm right proud of this group that created the mace."

Along with that profound faith in Aupilardjuk's judgement was an abiding pride in the artistic task itself.

"This is our first government, this is our own Inuit -- what can I do to make this really good, to show that we're proud of our newly-formed government?" Charlie remembers thinking.

The magnitude of the task proved an inspiration.

"It brought out the best in each of us. I thought I was the only one feeling that way but after the whole job was done, when the ceremony was done... we came together from time to time and kind of asked one another how did you really feel about it, right from your heart. I thought I was the only one, but some of them experienced the same thing."

One ultimate goal was to create a unified piece, with all elements working together, none taking away from any other part. The total work involved carving, silver and goldsmithing, and lapidary work.

The mace is comprised of many Nunavut materials: granite, labradorite, marble, ivory, silver, red gold and 17 different types of gemstones. The symbols, from top to tip, draw from the past and lead into the future -- including the most important element in Inuit survival and evolution -- the ring, harp and bearded seals. The handle is a seal-skin float. And eventually, the tip will hold a faceted Nunavut diamond, representing the future.

Charlie mostly worked on the lapidary aspect, which involved cutting and facetting Nunavut gem stones, setting them in gold, and assembling them.

Nuqingaq worked on the crown and most of the silversmithing. Pitsiulak is a carver as are Suqslaq and Malliki.

"We had a lot of late nights, and no sleep at times, but it was sure well worth it. It was really hectic, and thanks to our spouses who put up with it the whole time."

It took, all told, three months to create the mace, from rough sketch to finished piece.

The creation of the mace was made possible through funding by NTI, regional Inuit associations, birthright corporations and the Nunasi Corporation.