Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY
Saila stands 46-centimetres tall with her long black hair, dark eyes and complexion. The newest Nunavut resident is a doll but 10-year-old Mea Aitaok said she would play with her.

Saila is a 46-centimetre tall doll with long black hair, dark eyes and complexion. She joins five other dolls from Avonlea Traditions representing different regions of Canada. - photo courtesy of Avonlea Traditions

"She's pretty. She looks a little bit like me," she said from Cambridge Bay. "She looks fun to play with."

Saila joins five other Canadian-themed dolls from Avonlea Traditions representing different regions of the country. Each has distinct personalities, lifestyles and interests. Saila has Inuk features and wears a T-shirt with a polar-fleece vest, jeans and kamiit. About 200 of the newest doll have been sold across the country, including approximately 20 to Nunavut, said Kathryn Morton, president and owner of Avonlea Traditions.

"We know we will sell more in southern Canada simply because the population is so much bigger but she is being welcomed by people in the North and people right across Canada," she said. "It's nice to see."

Mea's mother, Vicki, said as a parent, she thinks the doll is something girls will identify with.

"I think she's beautiful," she said. "I think she's something the girls can identify with. It's so nice to see a doll that isn't blond-haired, white-skinned."

The dolls are only sold online but Vicki, also the manager of the Arctic Closet, has ordered three for her store. The dolls and accessories are expected to arrive by the end of October.

"I thought I would try three ... and see. I can always order more," she said.

She added there has been community interest for the dolls so she could have probably purchased more.

Accessories, such as an Amauti made in Arviat and a hat made from Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts in Pangnirtung, are also available for sale. Saila also comes with a journal describing her family, interests and life in Iqaluit in English, French and Inuktitut. Children can add to it.

"By reading the journal, you get a good idea of what it's like in the North and I think it's important for kids in southern Canada to know what it's like in the North," said Morton.

Morton traveled to Iqaluit for 10 days and spoke to girls aged 9 to 13 about life in the North, information she used as inspiration for the doll and as details of Saila's story.

"I think Inuit girls will enjoy reading about that character," she said. "We hope Saila will be a positive role model for Inuit girls living in Nunavut and for all girls living all across Canada. All the girls are similar in that they are energetic, outgoing, happy girls who are happy with just who they are at this time of their lives."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.