Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, September 5, 2007

RANKIN INLET - Artisans from across the Kivalliq region will have their artwork on display during the Kivalliq Arts and Crafts Festival at the Siniktarvik Hotel this coming week.

Simeoni Hakulak displays the carving he donated to the Kivalliq Arts and Crafts Festival in Rankin Inlet. The piece will be sold in a silent auction during the festival. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The event is being held in conjunction with the Kivalliq Inuit Doll Festival and Exhibition.

The doll festival runs from Sept. 8 to 15, while the arts festival is Sept. 11 to 13.

The doll segment will be held at the community centre, while arts and crafts will be at the Siniktarvik Hotel.

Theresie Tungilik is the adviser for arts and traditional economy for the Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

Tungilik said the focus of the arts-and-crafts festival will be to highlight the work of Kivalliq artists and promote sales of their creations during the three-day event.

She said a fashion show will be held on Sept. 12, and workshops are planned to help artists improve their skills.

"We're very optimistic about the entire event, and we're looking forward to the items that will be on display," said Tungilik.

"Kivalliq is known for developing modern designs in the Nunavut fashion industry and combining those styles with traditional practicality.

"We hope to see beautiful beaded amautis and jackets that can be worn comfortably in the North or down south.

"We also want to see sealskin products, which have always been a big part of Inuit life."

Tungilik said because Rankin is hosting the event, any local artist or seamstress who does quality work will not have to pay a fee to enter their work in the festival.

Artisans from outside of Rankin will have to pay a nominal fee to have their work exhibited.

"We will have soapstone gathered before the festival and available to be used during the event.

"We hope to have Paul Malliki of Repulse Bay here for a workshop on how to use electrical tools safely, and another on how to package carvings properly so they don't get damaged during shipping."

Tungilik said the planning committee is hoping for a big turnout and brisk sales at the festival.

She said plans have already begun to have a similar event in 2009.

"The artists, pretty much, set their own prices for the items being exhibited.

"The planning committee will keep 10 per cent from every sale, and that money will go towards the 2009 festival."

Tungilik said a number of volunteers are needed to help make the arts-and-crafts festival a success.

She said organizers are also looking for cultural entertainers to perform during the event.

"We want this to be, very much, a distinctive Kivalliq Inuit-styled festival.

"Committee chair Simeoni Hakulak donated a carving for a silent auction, with the proceeds going to help the planning-and-steering committee to organize the 2009 festival.

"We'd like to invite everyone out to the community feast on Sept. 11, which will be followed by our cultural entertainment."