Chris Hunsley
Northern News Services

Fort McPherson (Aug 15/05) - Retirement hasn't slowed down Margaret Vittrekwa and that's just the way she likes it.

"I sew 10-12 hours a day," said the Fort McPherson elder who taught for 22 years. "I like it, it keeps me busy."

With orders for beaded and embroidered slippers, wallets, wall hangings, jewelry and other traditional crafts pouring in from the south and visitors to the community knocking at her door, the force behind Margaret's Arts and Crafts store is busier than ever.

"This was a very good summer," she said, pointing to her shelf of beaded slippers. "I've had visitors from Japan, Switzerland, Germany and South America."

Having learned at the hands of her mother in Aklavik, Vittrekwa incorporates embroidery, sewing and bead work to create colourful and unique pieces.

Her skills acquired over more than 50 years have been passed on to her daughters and granddaughters.

"I used to always teach the kids in school, too, but now my granddaughter is doing it with me and she's getting pretty good," she said.

For Kristen Robert, it's a way to spend time with her grandmother, learn a new art form and earn some money.

The 17-year-old has already sold some slippers at Margaret's shop.

"The beading is probably my favourite," she said. "The colours are unlimited."

Award winner

Considered a go-to artist at the Great Northern Arts Festival, 2005 was a year Vittrekwa won't forget as she received acclaim from her colleagues.

"I was so very proud of myself for this," she said holding a certificate naming her as the Artist's Choice Award Winner for Traditional Arts.

Vittrekwa doesn't plan to slow her down as she needles her way into project after project continually honing her craft and coming up with new designs.

"With all the different colours of beads I still try to make neat designs," she said pointing to her signature roses that can take up to one week to bead.

"That's not too much time, since my retirement all I do is sew anyway," she laughed.