Kamiik with love, from Myna
Raffle result brings tears to winning mom of six
Casey Lessard
Northern News Services
Published Monday, January 26, 2015
IQALUIT
Christmas was the time for giving but, for one Iqaluit resident, the season continued well into the New Year.
Leonie Kilabuk and Myna Ishulutak embrace after Ishulutak drew Kilabuk's name to receive a year-old pair of sealskin kamiik she wasn't using anymore. The stay-at-home mom cried "very hard" upon hearing the news. - photo courtesy of Myna Ishulutak |
Myna Ishulutak, originally from Pangnirtung, set a community Facebook page ablaze and made one woman very happy by giving away a pair of kamiik she made in late 2013.
"I walk around in shoes all year around because I can't afford to buy myself boots," said winner Leonie Kilabuk. "And now I have kamiks that I can use every day."
Kilabuk's joyous reaction was the end result of Ishulutak's desire to find a way to give back to her community.
Spending the holidays in her hometown, she asked herself what she could give the people of Pangnirtung for Christmas.
With permission from the local radio announcer, she planned for an hour-long inspirational radio show to ask the question, "If you are going through a hard time, what helps you?"
"We started at eight o'clock," that evening, she said.
"We didn't stop until two o'clock (in the morning). I had tears. What a powerful message people had to people, what has helped them. It makes you cry."
Returning to Iqaluit, she started thinking what to do for Iqalungmiut.
"How can I show my appreciation, what can I give?" she thought.
While at the funeral for her best friend's mother, Annie Kootoo, she thought, "I have kamiks that I made in November 2013, and I don't use them anymore because I made another kamiks for myself."
Although the boots were used, the duffel socks were new, and the first she had ever made. She started in 2013, and finished them over Christmas.
"I liked them very much and I wanted to give them because I was so proud of what I made," she said, noting that although she sells sealskin crafts, such as ties and ulu cases, she does not have enough experience making kamiit to sell them.
More than 300 people registered to be considered for the draw, which took place Jan. 17. Only people living in Iqaluit were eligible for the kamiit, sized 8 to 8.5.
Ishulutak drew Kilabuk's name, and picked up the phone.
"That scared me. Literally, I started crying!" Kilabuk said.
"I never thought I would be the one picked for the kamiks, but it was, ah! I can't even explain. It was shocking. I started crying very hard."
The 41-year-old stay-at-home mother of six has never had her own kamiik, and said she wouldn't have been able to afford them otherwise. Ishulutak said the going rate for such boots is about $1,000 new.
"They're very comfortable, and they fit me perfectly," Kilabuk said, praising Ishulutak's generosity.
"Just like me, I make things and give them away to people who can't buy it. I make mitts for people who need mitts, and for kids, too."
"If we have stuff, share it," Ishulutak said.
"Especially if you see someone who doesn't have any, give it. That's our belief."
"I like to help," Kilabuk said.
"It comes back in a big way when you help. People say I'm one lucky lady, and I have very beautiful kamiks."
