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INUVIK
Since opening in 1969, Samuel Hearne Secondary School has been the stomping grounds for thousands of youth. Now, a few months before its doors close for the last time, two of the school's languages teachers are hoping to jump-start a craft night to encourage community members to enjoy time in the facility.

Annie Jane Charlie sews beads onto a piece of men's slippers on Wednesday evening at the Samuel Hearne Secondary School. - Katherine Hudson/NNSL photo

Feb. 8 was the first craft evening, taking place in the school's library – a warm room with bookshelves sprouting up the walls, and plush couches and circular tables filling the space.

Although there was not much of a turnout – only three people – Annie Jane Charlie and Anna Pingo hope by spreading the word, next month's craft night will bring out more people.

"Pretty soon this school is going to be gone. Hopefully people will start to come out and see this school in its last days," said Pingo.

Pingo, who teaches Inuvialuktun, and Charlie, who teachers Gwich'in studies, are part of the Aboriginal Language and Culture Committee at the school and have planned other events – such as elders' teas and a fall feast – to bring the public through the front doors.

Pingo said the craft night is open to anyone. Youth can come learn new skills, and crafters who want to get a handle on a new pattern are invited, as well as those who might have negative feelings associated with the idea of school, bred of their own time at residential schools in the region.

"We just figured in our committee that we should try to open up the school, to try to help to break that cycle of being afraid of the school," said Pingo. "We are really encouraging people to come to the school. It's an OK place to be … It's not dealing with school, it's not dealing with principals, it's not dealing with a student that has assignments missing, it's just to try to use our school as a facility to get people to come in and not be so on a professional note."

The evening is meant to be a social time – an invitation for anyone to bring a craft and work on it in a group setting.

Last Wednesday, Charlie brought the beadwork for a pair of men's slippers she is in the middle of creating.

"When I do my sewing I don't like doing leaves. I don't know why. It's just the way I am. I think that's just what's happening here, it's taking me a little longer than expected but it's getting there," said Charlie.

Pingo is currently working on crocheted hats for family members and friends. She said the craft nights would allow skills to be shared by participants, as well as a chance for craftwork to be done in a social environment.

"We figured that people are at home, they have their own stuff they're working on. Rather than just sit at home by yourself, sometimes you'd like to sit and visit with someone and share stories. We figured, let's try this out and see how it works," she said. "Who knows, we might get someone in here that might know something they'd like to share, little dolls and clothing and stuff."

"It would be nice, too, if we could … exchange patterns, show our patterns that we have. There's a wide range of different types of slippers we have in this region," said Charlie as she put the finishing touches on one green leaf, surrounded by blue flowers on her slippers.

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