Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Sanikiluaq (Mar 13/00) - The soapstone carving represents much of Sanikiluaq artist Kaupapik Ningeocheak's life.

Originally from Coral Harbour, Ningeocheak got involved with carving five years ago to earn a good income.

His life's direction took a dramatic turn when he moved to Sanikiluaq to become the hamlet's recreation co-ordinator.

He's since married and has a five-month-old son.

Ningeocheak's art has already been featured in shows from Winnipeg to as far away as Boston, Philadelphia and Australia.

His work has come a long way in five years, something he attributes to his beliefs.

"I have my own style of art which is a transformation into shamanism," says Ningeocheak.

"I'm most interested in transformation arts, although I do other pieces, such as owls."

Ningeocheak's grandfather was a shaman before Christianity came to the North and he is a firm believer.

He claims the power of shamanism helps him feel guided when he creates art.

"If I'm not guided by my higher power, I wouldn't be able to complete my art.

"My higher power, my God, helps me to achieve this goal of mine."

Ningeocheak says the feeling he gets upon completing a piece is not one of personal pride but, rather, pride in his art.

The artist received the thrill of lifetime recently when the NHL came calling.

The league was interested in having one of his pieces up for auction in its Hockey Fights Cancer campaign.

"When I found out it was going towards fighting cancer, I immediately wanted to contribute a piece.

"A lot of my relatives and people I knew died of cancer, so I wanted to help to find a cure to this awful disease."

Creating the carving was both emotionally and physically draining for Ningeocheak.

The piece was so delicate in parts, it broke twice as he worked.

The artist prevailed however and, as a reward for his efforts, he was off to the NHL All-Star Game in Toronto.

"Thankfully, my higher power came through for me and gave me the talent in my hands to achieve my goal."

Ningeocheak scored a goal of his own against cancer when his carving, Inuit Player, sold for $4,350 US.

He says he also feels pleased about helping to put Sanikiluaq on the map.

"Now these people know where Nunavut is, which many of them didn't before seeing my carving and talking to me."

The experience was a crowning moment for Ningeocheak, who grew up with hockey and says the sport has always been a big part of his life.

"To be there, at an actual all-star game, seeing these players playing hockey, I just loved it. It was like a dream.

"Many of the youth here look up to me now because I went to the all-star game and now they want to go.

"For me, Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens players have been my heroes since I was a kid.

"This whole experience was a dream come true for me on so many different levels."