Lake Harbour (Dec 22/03) - Nakashook Michael was born in an outpost camp. She has been living there since shewas about six years old. Now Michael is 43. In an interview with NNSL, she reflects on her life growing up in Kimmirut.

Nakashook Michael - Kathleen Lippa/NNSL photo

News/North: Tell me about when and where you were born.

Nakashook Michael: I was born in an outpost camp. I have been living here since I was maybe six years old. I am 43 now. I love it here.

If I have to be out for two days, I miss it right away. I love it -- my hometown.

N/N: What are the things that make you love it?

NM: It is peaceful. It is nice and peaceful here.

N/N: What kinds of things do you like to do in your spare time?

NM: Right now I'm in the jewelry course. I'm a full-time mother. My youngest is two years old. I have five kids.

N/N: What made you want to take the jewelry course?

NM: I had to learn something. I had to get out of my house and do something different.

N/N: Tell me about your creativity. Did you do arts before the course?

NM: I did carvings before, a few.

N/N: What kinds of things have you been making in the jewelry course?

NM: A broach, earrings and two necklaces since November when we started.

We work with silver and brass.

N/N: Was the jewelry course hard?

NM: Yes! (Laughing). Yes, very hard. You've got to do a lot of thinking.

If you want to make something good, you have got to do a lot of sketching.

Then you have to sketch two pages of what you're going to make.

N/N: Do you have a favourite piece that you think is your best?

NM: Yes, a harpoon head necklace.

N/N: How do you guys in the jewelry course feel about all this attention? (On Saturday, Dec. 13, a group from Iqaluit, including the Premier Paul Okalik, attended the opening of the art gallery in Soper House in Kimmirut where all the jewelry students' work is displayed now).

NM: We're excited, especially after we finish one broach and it was so hard to make. When it is done, everybody is so happy. It makes you feel like (waving her arms enthusiastically) you want to fly!

N/N: You were even saying earlier you were worried that no one was going to come here today. You were watching the weather.

NM: I was worried this morning.

As soon as I got up I looked out the window and said 'Maybe no plane today.' My husband goes: 'We'll see!'

N/N: What does your family think of your jewelry?

NM: They are so happy.

My daughter (Nikki) is in the course, too. She is very happy to make jewelry, too.

N/N: Do you make a lot of money doing this?

NM: This is my first time making jewelry (laughs). One of the jewel makers is working on that now, the prices.

N/N: Do you want to keep it up? The course? Even though it is tough?

NM: Yes. I want to do it again. There is going to be another course in January.

N/N: What images do you find yourself making?

NM: Raven game earrings and a weasel and bird fighting over a worm. The stone looks like a worm.

N/N: Where did you get that idea from, the weasel and the bird? Is it from a story?

NM: I don't know. I just started shaping the rock, and then I had to do some art, put it in the centre of what I'm going to be making. I kept going and Catherine picked it. I didn't expect to make that (laughing). It just came out from my mind!

N/N: What other animals do you like to use in your art?

NM: Ptarmigan, owl, rabbits.

N/N: Do you think more people should take the jewelry course?

NM: Yes. We need a jewelry shop here. I hope we get it.