Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Nov 07/01) - Slowly and carefully, William Manernaluk flips through his spiral sketch book. He stops at a series of swimming bears.

"The first earrings I made were swimming polar bears," he said.

The 33-year-old artist is one year into a two-year jewelry course at Nunatta Arctic College. He hopes to branch into bigger pieces but enjoys the challenges rings and broaches demand.

"I'm enjoying it all. The drawing, studying, art history, business and communication," he said.

As a child, Manernaluk carved his first pieces in Rankin Inlet and Baker Lake -- the two communities he calls home. As shy kindergarten student, he stayed after school to work on paper bag faces. While other kids grew bored with the paper sculptures, Manernaluk excelled at the detail-oriented project.

Gifted with fine motor skills despite physical mobility impairments, Manernaluk is interested in more using his hands.

"I was a community (radio) local operator in Baker Lake. I'd provide the community announcements, take requests, read the weather,"Manernaluk said.

He spends his spare time working at the college residence's canteen.

His plans to finish the jewelry program, enrol in a Inuit Studies course balance his time between art and radio.

"I like Iqaluit. I'd like to live here."