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IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY - Women in Cambridge Bay are regaining traditional skills while strengthening ties to one another and to their community.

Ladies Sewing Evenings are being offered three times a week at the Elders Place under the instruction of local elders Mabel Etegik, Mary Kilaodluk and Mary Avalak.

Mary Avalak shows how to sew fox trim for a parka hood. From left: Ronnie Lyall, Leslie Payette, Sinclair Lyall, Susie Koaha and Mary Avalak. - photo courtesy of Renee Kruca

The program, now in its third year, was initially aimed at teaching young mothers how to make parkas, but has since expanded to include women of all ages with an interest in sewing.

“The main reason why we got it started, a lot of our cultural projects were mainly to regain skills and part of that is regaining part of your cultural identity and to be able to sew for yourself and your family,” explained Julia Ogina, program coordinator for the Kitikmeot Inuit Association.

Through instruction and guidance from elders, participants learn various skills including how to create patterns, cut materials according to fit, operate a range of sewing machines, use different types of needles, create a variety of stitches, trim clothing with fur and prepare raw skins.

“I wanted to sew so that I could get better,” said 14-year-old participant Janita Atatahak. “My mom taught me how to sew when I was young. She cut out a pair of moccasins and taught me how to sew them. Then I made mitts and kamiiks for my little sister Abby.”

“It’s just to get out of the house and I like sewing,” said Winnie Kameenalik from Gjoa Haven, who attends with her 13-year-old daughter Cecilia. “It’s something I always knew how to do. I grew up around it. My mom was always sewing.”

In addition to learning or revisiting their sewing skills, the women have the opportunity to socialize, develop friendships and visit with elders.

The best part is “the interaction among the women,” said Nigerian-born Sandra Ilori, a newcomer to Cambridge Bay from Barrie, Ont. “We relate as though we all know each other very well. It’s OK even if you don’t know how to sew. We are from all different backgrounds and we learn from each other. We all have something to share.”

“It’s all about loving the elders, working with the elders and learning how to sew with them,” said 11-year-old Alice Evetalegak. “They are very nice and helpful. They also teach us Inuinnaqtun words.”

For some women, the program is also a new beginning, a way to reconnect with society and regain their strength.

“I also sit on the community justice committee, (where) we deal with diversions from the RCMP or court,” said Ogina. “We’ve used this as an option for them to go to.”

By inviting these women to join the group, they can re-establish their relationship with the community, she added.

Since the start of the program -- created by the Kitikmeot Inuit Association in partnership with the Kitikmeot Heritage Society -- there has been a noticeable growth in the number of women sewing and selling their clothing within the community. While there used to be the same small group of women with their hand-sewn wares at the local trade show, Ogina said she was delighted to see more and more women bringing in their goods.

“I was blown away by the amount of women that brought in clothes for sale,” she said. “People now have got that creativity. It is so nice to see. I’m a seamstress myself, growing up with sewing. It’s so nice to see women of my peers and younger generation sewing!”