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An elder in the making

Chris Windeyer
Northern News Services

Cambridge Bay (Jun 26/06) - Rudy Mingilgak is quickly gaining a reputation as one of Cambridge Bay's most accomplished carvers.

"His stuff sells fast and he is becoming very well known in the area," says Vicki Aitoak of the Arctic Closet giftshop.

Mingilgak started carving when he was a teenager. Now 68, he has added renewed vigour to his art form, especially since being released from jail two years ago, says Aitoak.

He was banned from the community for a while, living in Yellowknife but visiting Cambridge Bay with a police escort.

"It's water under the bridge. He served his time and honoured the ban. He is accepted back into the community," said Aitoak.

Mingilgak is understandably reluctant to talk about jail, preferring instead to discuss his chosen art form with translation from the Innuinaqtun by Jean Kaniak.

Wielding files and power tools Mingilgak transforms bone, muskox horn, caribou antlers and soapstone into a myriad of forms.

"He likes to carve anything," Kaniak says.

One of his latest creations is a two-foot high, white stone carving of a mother polar bear with cubs entitled 'Nanook Family' that is on display at a bank in Cambridge Bay.

"He carves the animals he sees and tries to make (the carvings) the same," Kaniak said.

Mingilgak first learned the art form watching his father, and practising by making bows and arrows and miniature qajaqs.

For fun, Mingilgak gambles a little, but he doesn't drink. He's been known to chew a little snuff while working on his carvings though.

When he's not in his workshop, Mingilgak goes hunting for anything, for both food and carving supplies.

He used to work, but his legs aren't as good as they used to be.

"He's becoming an elder," says Kaniak.