Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 13/02) - By this time next year, it's likely that Arviat and Rankin Inlet residents will be roaming the streets with fabulous new hairstyles.

That's assuming the four Kivalliq students enroled in Nunavut Arctic College's new hairdressing program continue to do as well as they have been since the course began in Iqaluit in September.

Three of the students hail from the hamlet of Arviat, one comes from Rankin Inlet. All four want to open their own salons -- a goal instructor Suzanne Laliberte said is attainable with more education.

"This is just the first level. They need a second level if they are to have their own businesses," explained Laliberte, also the owner of the Baffin Hair Salon in Iqaluit.

"We're not sure if that's going to happen. That's up to the college to decide, but if this is successful, a second level could happen," she said.

Given the high number of people residing in communities in the Kivalliq region, hair salons are fast becoming a necessity. Laliberte said the first stop Kivallingmiut make upon arriving in Iqaluit or the South is a hair salon.

"It would make everybody feel better," said Laliberte.

"They come to Iqaluit and right away, they want a haircut. This way, they could have it at home and by one of their own people," she said.

Future stylist Cecile Gibbons is ready to hang out her shingle as a stylist in Arviat. She's thrilled with the new colouring techniques she's acquiring and is enjoying the challenge of learning how to do complex finger waves.

In one sense, Gibbons is one of the luckiest students in the class. She didn't leave family responsibilities behind in Arviat so she's able to concentrate fully on her studies while living in the capital. Her determination to open her own salon keeps her coming to class every day.

"I want to get a business in Arviat so I have to pass. I haven't missed a day yet," she said.

Also from Arviat, Nancy Shamee is looking forward to a future where she works as a stylist in Arviat.

Despite her homesickness, she hits the books and uses the theories she learns on papers to help her understand the chemistry of hair.

"Sometimes this is hair-raising, but I get through it," she laughed.

"I have no choice, but to learn this and experience it. There is no other way. I like to learn and that's what I'm here for, but I miss my three boys very much," she said.

And, whenever the pressure gets too intense or she feels sad about being away from home, Shamee remembers the words of encouragement her family offered her before she left home.

"They told me I have a future by taking this course and that I could have a business cutting hair. That really touched my heart and made me take this seriously."

Eighteen-year-old Saunia Hodge, formerly from Arviat, is the youngest student in the class. She said the warm relationship between the students helps keep her in the program, as does the use of Inuktitut in the classroom.

"We speak both English and Inuktitut, but Inuktitut is stronger," she said.

As for Rankin Inlet's Susie Niviatsiak, she's in the perfect position to return home to open a business. The community's long-time hairdresser recently moved South leaving people without a local stylist.

"I want to stay away from heads for a while after I finish," she joked, "but Scottie left and I want to open my own place."