Adding diamonds to jewelry
Northern News Services
Rae-Edzo (Mar 05/01) - Lloyd Bishop holds up a work in progress.
The ring is intended as a gift for a friend, but doesn't pass muster under its maker's shrewd gaze.
Over four semesters, the "almost 40" year-old has been learning the skills needed to become a jeweler.
Next week, he and four others in Aurora College's Rae-Edzo jewelry program will complete what could be their final semester.
The five will receive two-year diplomas, but are they jewelers?
"They certainly have the basic skills that they need to produce professional quality pieces. But they're not super-experienced," says instructor Allyson Simmie.
She adds that the necessary experience can be gained with more schooling or by working solo.
The jewelry course began two years ago as a pilot program. At the time, Bob Ward, co-ordinator of mine training at Aurora College, told News/North that it seemed logical to develop jewelers and incorporate them into the secondary diamond industry.
"Somewhere down the road, hopefully there will be a fit," he said.
The five students have not yet worked with diamonds. The curriculum comes from Nunavut Arctic College, which has been contracted to administer the program for Aurora College.
"When I was in Yellowknife, Bob Ward and I spoke of developing a program," says Jude Ortiz, Arctic College's jewelry and metalwork program co-ordinator.
"It's the same skills, but with a slightly different focus."
That focus is diamonds.
Showing off a wax casting of a ring done by one of the students, Simmie notes that it's not difficult to imagine these students one day working with Northern diamonds.
"It's going to take a little bit of vision and a little bit of faith," she says.
"But it's always this way: 'You want how much money for what?' until it's proven."
Future in doubt
If the program ends, what becomes of Mabel Migwi? She would like nothing better than to start a studio like the one she's been working in over the last couple of years. Or Lloyd Bishop, who also wishes to continue making jewelry.
"Exactly," says Simmie.
"I guess he could access a tool grant somewhere. That would be a possibility. But he would be on his own, and it's too soon for that. It is a problem."
In Iqaluit, the third-year students are steeped in business practices and know-how.
"It's a bridge to being on your own. Three years of arts education and the person is able to be self-employed and able to support themselves. They can stay in their communities, with life-long employment. That's a huge return for the investment," says Ortiz.
For Simmie, it's a matter of plain old faith and a commitment to developing a new Dene art.
"There's so much of that 'Oh, everyone's going to quit.' So much of that negative bullshit talk. As far as I'm concerned, all you have to do is look at the track record of the students.
"Come in and look at Rose's hands. Did you see them? They're cracking open. What does that tell you?."
Simmie says the students are aware that they're on the leading edge.
"They're working really hard to hold up their end."
Aurora College is actively seeking funding to continue the program.
Meanwhile, the students will travel to Yellowknife at the end of March for an exhibit of their work at Nor-Art International Gallery.
