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KUGAARUK/PELLY BAY
Emily Illuitok, a well-known carver, died in her home in Kugaaruk on Feb. 12 from lung cancer at age 69.

Famed carver Emily Illuitok, pictured, died in her home in Kugaaruk on Feb. 12 at the age of 69. - photo courtesy of Jeannie Illuitok

She leaves her husband, Levi Illuitok, her five children – four boys and one girl – 19 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Her daughter-in-law, Jeannie Illuitok, said Emily was a wonderful, caring, helpful and hardworking person.

"She loved everybody and helped everybody so much and she was always smiling to everybody anywhere she went," she said. "She helped us raised our children. She helped us keep them. She helped so much in every way she could."

She added, for instance, Emily, who started carving in 1967 to support her family, would share with her children any money she made selling carvings.

Emily was born on Jan. 24, 1943 near Kugaaruk and lived in the Kitikmeot community all her life. Emily carved an ivory nativity scene for Pope Benedict XVI about five years ago.

Tom Chapman, vice-chairman of the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association, said Emily is a pioneer in many regards, with nothing equal in quality to her carvings. She would depict dog sledding, dog teams, camp and family scenes.

"Her working of ivory was just unlike anything that has been seen for decades coming out of the North," he said. "Her work was very easily recognized amongst collectors for the quality, for the theme. She was not only a great sculptor in her own right, she made just outstanding sculpted jewelry out of ivory, things that weren't nearly as prominent in the market or didn't have the exposure."

He added Emily and the quality of work she produced will be sorely missed.

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