Karen Mackenzie
Northern News Services
Monday, July 16, 2007

PANGNIRTUNG - On the day of the western premiers' visit, Jonas Akpalialuk of Pangnirtung set up his carving tools on a big rock outside of the community's hall.

His temporary studio overlooked the boats awaiting high tide below.

Jonas Akpalialuk of Pangnirtung carves a soapstone bear outside of the community hall. - Karen Mackenzie/NNSL photo

Akpalialuk was among a number of artists demonstrating their skills for the 60-odd travellers in town on July 5. Up at the visitors centre, a handful of women were busy at their looms, creating the colourful scarves and tapestry for which the hamlet is renowned.

Akpalialuk's demonstration project was a good-sized dancing bear made of soapstone, the medium he said he prefers to work with.

"It's good if you're thinking of making anything," he said.

He carefully chiseled away at the bear's curves, pausing to turn and examine the piece at regular intervals.

Friends stopped by to chat with him and watch the folks carving up country food for the feast on the ground below.

Although he makes many different types of animals - "seals, birds, like ducks or owls" - this figure is most popular with the tourists, Akpalialuk said.

"They like them dancing bears," he said, gesturing to the visitors centre.

Akpalialuk, who grew up in Pang, has been carving for about 17 years.

The stone itself usually dictates what his project will be, he said.

"After I see the size, the piece of stone, I just look, and think about it first," he said.

Aside from carving, Akpalialuk also paints. He said he prefers capturing the islands and mountains that surround his hometown.

"When I see them, it gets me thinking," he said.

And when not hard at work making a living from his art this summer?

"Fishing, hunting," he said with a smile.