Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Oct 19/05) - Matilda Kaput is not about to tell anyone the past two years have been easy for her.

But she will say the end result was worth the sacrifices she and her family made in order for her to earn her hairstyling diploma in Iqaluit.

Kaput, 37, opened her very own hair salon in Rankin's Siniktarvik Hotel this past week.

She said it all wouldn't have been possible if not for the great support she received from her friends and family.

"It was very hard for me to go off to Iqaluit for a two-year course and leave my four children behind," said Kaput.

"My mother, Leonie Ninialik, took care of my oldest daughter in Chesterfield Inlet and my best friend, Marina Patuk, looked after my younger daughter here in Rankin.

"My two boys stayed at home for most of the time, although my youngest boy did go and stay with his dad for a little while."

For those who think learning to become a hairstylist is easy, they may be surprised to learn only eight of 14 students passed the second year of their program in Kaput's class and earned their diplomas.

Kaput said she enjoys every aspect of hairstyling and is thrilled to have her very own shop.

She said her customers, however, may have to prod her a little bit to strike up a conversation while she's working.

"Even while I was taking my classes in Iqaluit, I was almost always quiet while I was working on a customer's hair. I'm not always like that, though. There are days when I'm talkative."

Rankin customers can find Kaput easily enough at the Siniktarvik.

She's using the same hair salon Ashley Dean ran for more than a year just a little while back.

While she will accept walk-ins if she's free, Kaput says she expects to be busy enough that customers should call ahead to book an appointment.

"I'm definitely here for the long term.

"I grew up in Chesterfield Inlet, but I've lived in Rankin for the past 14 years.

"Rankin is where all of my kids grew up and it's home to us."