Elias Aviugana puts his back into making ulu handles at the Elder Day Program's craft circle catch all day, Monday at the Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Authority. Below, Christina Felix, owner of her own sewing shop in Tuk, works at a record pace to finish off one of the squares she is creating to make a wall hanging, Monday, at the Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Authority.

Inuvik (Apr 22/05) - Always start what you finish is a lesson everyone needs to learn and members of the Elder Day Program were leading by example, Monday.
"You name it, we're finishing up everything today," said program co-ordinator Sarah Forbes.

The group of approximately 20 elders and long-term care patients, who meet each weekday, spent the afternoon putting the final touches on a multitude of projects, ranging from knitted scarves to wall hangings; ulu handles to crocheted crafts.

For many, it was their first finished piece in a new found artform.

"I've never done anything like this before. I think I'm doing okay for a beginner," said Helen Peffer, working on the last of four sewn and decorated felt squares which will be joined to create a wall hanging.

"It wasn't difficult to learn and it's easy to keep doing," she said.

Her masterpiece, which depicts dog teams and other traditional elements of the North, will be auctioned off at the year-end sale to raise money for craft supplies and equipment the group may need.

Even though the creations will be sold, the elders get plenty of long-term benefits from their creations, said Jeanie Bennett, assistant program co-ordinator.

"It definitely helps their fine motor skills and they have a lot more self esteem," she said.

As members become more sure of themselves and what they can create, they also pair up and help each other out.

"They just love the craft circle," she said, pointing out that busy hands and attentive eyes led to plenty of smiling faces.

"They're so proud of themselves and what they make."

Catherine Mitchell couldn't have agreed strongly enough.

"Whatever I try to make, I always end up making it," she joked while expertly moving her needles to create knot after knot in a soon-to-be-completed scarf.

"It's nice to knit. This is for here, to sell. I used to make socks and sweaters too. So whenever I feel like it, I just knit."