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A house with a woman's touch

Karen Mackenzie
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 24, 2007

SANIKILUAQ - A group of women in Sanikiluaq are getting on-the-job training as they build a four-bedroom house in their community.

NNSL Photo/Graphic

Sharon Meeko, from left, Tina Meeko and Molly Takatak tighten bolts on the construction site in Sanikiluaq as instructor Ilona Hannah looks on. - photo courtesy of John Jamieson

"We laugh, we make fun of each other, we work hard and when something happens we look out for each other," said Molly Takatak, a Grade 12 student.

Takatak, who dropped out of school a few years ago, returned in 2006 and is using the construction project as a way to earn high school credits.

"I'm learning a lot of new things and it's a really good education. I really like math, so I want to learn more about measurements in building," she said.

She also hopes the skills she's gaining will someday translate into a career.

"I'd really like to get a job when I graduate, because I've got three kids," she said.

For student Karen Agiatusuk, the project was her first real opportunity to get into the workforce.

"I wanted to learn, and I got sick of just sleeping in all the time. The first day was hard, but I'm getting used to getting up early in the morning. I don't even need an alarm clock any more," she said with a laugh.

Nearly 25 women are involved in the project, including about 20 high school students who work half-days on site. They range in age from 16 to over 40, with varying experience in the construction field.

The crew, under the guidance of instructor Ilona Hannah and building inspector Arthur Lebsack, hope to complete the house by next spring.

Nunavut Housing Corporation donated the site and building package earlier in the year, "under one condition - that it must be built by a 100 per cent female work crew," said housing corporation president Peter Scott.

"We have been promoting the trades, but we're strongly promoting women in the trades," he said.

The structure is being built on the pile foundations of a housing corporation home that burnt down years ago.

Although initially slated to become the community's first women's shelter, the hamlet has not decided exactly what the building will be used for.

Its lands officer is currently looking into zoning requirements for the site.

A similar building project, which has a group of men working to convert a triplex into a five-plex, is taking place simultaneously across town.

Hannah and local principal John Jamieson said they hope the project will encourage the workers to continue on in apprenticeships.

"If nothing else they'll be quite capable of maintaining their own homes," Hannah said. "These girls are pretty gung-ho. They're hard working and they do it until they get it right."

Scott, a black belt in karate, said he will visit the house once it's completed and give the group a two-hour lesson on self-defence.

"Now mind you, I won't take on the whole work crew. I carry a black belt, but they carry carpenters' belts," he joked.