Whale Cove (Nov 24/04) - Learning how to make caribou and sealskin parkas, pants, kamiiks and mitts takes a long time, but it's an invaluable skill.

That's why the hamlet decided to offer a traditional sewing course for the second year in a row.

Four times a week until March, 46 of the community's approximately 300 residents will be taking turns learning -- and re-learning -- how to sew traditional clothing.

There were originally supposed to be 20 participants, but a decision to allow all 46 applicants to take one class a week has since been made.

"We decided that everybody should be included," Angootealuk said.

"We're hoping that we can do it every year," said senior administrative officer Imalda Angootealuk, who is taking the course again this year.

"It takes more than a year to learn."

By bringing together elders and youth, the sewers "learn so much more because they talk so much," Angootealuk said.

The hamlet obtained $20,000 through the Government of Nunavut's community initiatives program to help pay for the skins needed to make the clothes.

The program allows for grant funding of up to $250,000 for community economic development initiatives.

The Issatik Hunters' and Trappers' Association will provide some of the skins.

A request has been put in to Repulse Bay for the rest, Angootealuk said.

The course is held in the old home economics room of the Inuglak school. Plastic sheeting is being put on the floor to allow sewers to work wherever they choose.

The hamlet tries to solicit community initiatives proposal ideas through advertising, but this year only one other proposal was submitted.

Anyone interested in starting a project next year should approach the hamlet, Angootealuk said.

A plan for a big game outfitter course was also approved, but then cancelled because the proper permits were not obtained from the Department of the Environment.

"We're planning again for next year, and we're hoping there won't be any technical difficulties," she said.