Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Wednesday, June 13, 2007

REPULSE BAY - Students at Tusarvik school traded their textbooks for textiles in some intensive sewing classes at the school.

The students' final pieces were displayed in a fashion show at the school's awards ceremony May 29.

During March, students were busy five nights a week taking classes at the school.

"It was a very busy place," said Principal Leonie Aissaoui. "We even used the science lab and the kitchen."

Thanks to extra funding, Aissaoui was able to hire almost enough teachers to work one-on-one with the students.

Jessie Nuluk was one of those teachers.

She has been sewing since she was 16, having learned the skill from her mother and grandmother.

"It's fun for me and I though it would be interesting to sew with the students," said Nuluk.Jessica Siutinuar, 21, took part in the classes, and made two parkas and an amauti. Although she already knew a bit about sewing, she said the classes helped her improve her skills.

Since the classes, she has sewn another parka for herself.

"With help from my teacher Mary Tinashlu, it seemed like it was simple making an amauti," said Siutinuar.

The students showed off their creations in a fashion show May 29, and in a photo shoot with Stan Meredyk.

Aissaoui got funding for the materials from a proposal she wrote for cultural enhancement.

Money for the wages came through special funding for the school she received in March.

Aissaoui said the students have done sewing classes before as part of the cultural program, but not to this extent.

The students received high school credits for their participation in the course.