Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Arviat (May 09/01) - A program started in Rankin Inlet has been a tremendous success in Arviat.
The skin preparation and sewing program attracted hundreds of applicants.
Sealskin instructor Hattie Alagalak says the program was sponsored by the Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA) and delivered at Arctic College.
"We were looking for funding to try and start our sewing program and the KIA's Bernadette Dean came up with it for us," says Alagalak.
"This program was far more than a sewing class.
"We taught the participants how to do everything with raw seal or caribou skin -- scraping, tanning, and sewing."
About 150 people applied for spots in Alagalak's sealskin kamik class and another 160 applied for caribou hides with Dorothy Aglukark.
Alagalak found room for 71 students during the three and a half months the program ran.
The completion rate was impressive, with 65 of the 71 participants finishing the program.
Alagalak says the instructors found six students at a time was the most effective way to teach the course.
She says many people in Arviat come from inland and, although they have lived there for many years, had no idea about sealskin.
"For many of them it was their first time to touch a skin. "At first, it was pretty yucky for them, but they loved it by the end.
"One of the best parts of the program for me was the happiness I saw in the families of those who completed it."
Aglukark had 10 people a day attend her caribou skin class. She says her students came faithfully, no matter what the weather.
Her students learned how to skin the caribou legs, and dry and tan the fur before making kamiks and mitts.
Two of her students completed caribou parkas.
"I could only take about half of the people who applied," says Aglukark.
"The response to the program is proof of its need in the community. We'd love to see the funding continue, because so many people here are willing to learn."
