Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Arviat (May 16/01) - It was a reunion Peter Atatsiak didn't expect. His 18-kilogram drum dancer, stolen from an Arviat office in March, made it back within a week of disappearing.
The $3,500 piece, needing some minor repairs, belongs to a permanent collection of Inuit art heading for the territorial government building this month.
The carving's return followed an anonymous tip and a poster campaign advertising the theft.
"We were very fortunate to get it back. It's certainly one of his best pieces," said Carroll Macintyre, the hamlet's economic development officer. The carving was stolen from her office.
Atatsiak, while pleased to hear of his carving's return, has yet to repair the caribou skin drum destroyed in the incident.
So what happened?
After posters publicizing the theft made the carving impossible to sell, the thief apparently tossed the carving in a residential garbage barrel.
Arviat RCMP Const. Mark Tindall discovered the carving after receiving a tip.
"It was just placed in one of those 55-gallon drums. There was nothing around it other than a bit of snow," Tindall said.
Charges were laid and the suspect is set to appear in court in June.
As for the piece, it is now back in Macintyre's office.
The otherwise unfortunate incident has shone light on one of Arviat's 50 carvers.
As a boy, Atatsiak, watched patiently as his father, Tony Atatsiak, carved antlers.
His aunt, Eva Talooki Aliktiluk, is also carver and she encouraged the young Atatsiak to make a living from his work.
Today, at 30, the self-taught artist supports his wife and two children from his sporadic income.
"The quality, the imagination and the detail is better than most," Macintyre said.
Atatsiak travelled to Lunenburg, N.S., several years ago. In addition to developing a taste for lobster, he sold several carvings.
Motivation permitting, Atatsiak works every day outside his apartment while plugged into CBC or his CD player. "I carve in any weather except rain," Atatsiak said.
Atatsiak's advice to young carvers? "Just do it. Don't wait," he said.
Atatsiak's pieces range from $150 to $3,500. Because tools and materials are expensive, he only carves upon request.
His next big project is a life-sized human statue. But, he adds, "I have to find a buyer first."
