Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Pelly Bay (Feb 11/02) - A group of seamstresses has turned a $3,500 Nunavut Tunngavik grant into a viable business venture.

After receiving the money from the land claims organization, Kuugaarjuk community members considered how to best use the money.

Senior administrator Quinn Taggart said the group finally decided to manufacture canvas grocery bags.

"We wanted to reduce the number of plastic bags blowing around the community," he said. "That's a problem we have here."

Several re-usable satchels were sewn and given away at the local Co-op's annual general meeting.

Positive community feedback -- and an order for a 100 of the bags from a Yellowknife business owner -- prompted the seamstresses to look at what else they can sew.

Economic development officer Vincent Ningark said they'd since developed prototypes for shaving kits, gun cases and parkas.

"There's a lot of hunters in the community looking to purchase rifle cases. They had a big response from the community," said Ningark.

The success also prompted the group to go after additional funding sources and they're considering the best way to market their products.