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RANKIN INLET/KIVALLIQ
Spirits and optimism ran high at the annual Kivalliq Trade Show in Rankin Inlet this past week, despite Mother Nature's reluctance to play nice.

Arts and traditional economy advisor Theresie Tungilik said only top-quality items are for sale at the annual art market during the Kivalliq Trade Show in Rankin Inlet. - NNSL file photo

A number of events had to be rescheduled and some participants could not attend the three-day gathering due to bad weather on Nov. 19.

Rankin community economic development officer Evan Morrison said the weather forced the organizing committee to, more or less, run the trade show and conference sessions at the same time.

He said the turnout was strong, however, despite the inclement weather.

"The show was excellent, weather or not," said Morrison.

"The art market took a bit of a hit with a fur seller not being able to make it in because of the blizzard, but our regional artists still had a lot of great material on display and a number of them sold out.

"Yes, last year's show was really great, but this is a new year and a lot of great partnerships and opportunities came together at this show."

Morrison said the trade show still provides lots of opportunities for people to network.

He said there's always businesses teaming up to launch new projects and new companies being formed.

"Our theme for this show was Celebrating Small Business, so we're hoping to create new businesses this year that will create partnerships for the next trade show.

"You do, of course, have some of the same people here as previous years, but they could be networking with others for the first time to create new opportunities.

"There's always new opportunities in our region that didn't exist the previous year."

A regional art market partners with the trade show every year and has become an integral component of the gathering in its own right.

Government of Nunavut arts and traditional economy adviser Theresie Tungilik said there were sufficient sales at this year's market, despite not having as many outside people this time around.

She said holding the art market in tandem with the trade show encourages regional artists to produce more quality work, and often sparks interest in art among youth.

"At elementary, we're talking very young kids, but when the classes come in to see what the artists have done, those little children see anything can be created if the material is available.

"Some of the children were really impressed by the clothing and artwork displayed this year.

"Partnering with the trade show is one of the best things we can do for the community because we don't have an art building to display and sell art, so we have to grab any opportunity that allows a large number of our artists to promote themselves."

Tungilik said every Kivalliq community is different in what it produces and what it excels at, and only top-quality items are accepted for the trade show art market.

She said she'd really like to see traditional clothing from Repulse Bay and jackets from Arviat at the market.

"The other communities are good at what they do, but sometimes we should concentrate on who produces more instead of trying to be fair to every community.

"You look at an artist like Susan Nuluk of Naujaat and, as good as she is at doll making, most people know her for her sealskin products and traditional clothing.

"Coral Harbour and Repulse Bay are very good at making traditional clothing, while contemporary clothing comes more from Coral, Rankin and Arviat.

"When a hockey team, for example, comes from Repulse, you know the seamstresses are really good up there because their team jackets are so impressive.

"I was very pleased with Veronica Manilak, who went home during day two because she had none of her famous wall hangings left to sell."

Robert Connelly said the organizing committee goes to great lengths to keep the trade show a truly regional affair and not simply a Rankin Inlet event.

He said there are representatives, artists, youths and businesses from every Kivalliq community sponsored to participate in the trade show to ensure strong representation from across the region.

"One of the trade show committee's priorities has always been to promote and source all of our equipment, supplies and services from Kivalliq-based companies, and not just those in Rankin Inlet" said Connelly.

"The past two years our delegate bags were made at the Jessie Oonark Centre in Baker Lake and some of our presentation gifts were made at the Kiluk Sewing Centre in Arviat.

"The committee purchased 75 tables and 50 chairs this year and donated them to the community, and they were sourced from Baker Lake Contracting Services which owns Umingmak Building Supply.

"So, we're buying goods and services from Kivalliq-based companies to make this event happen, and we're bringing in Kivalliq-based artists, businesses and youths to ensure all communities have a chance to actively participate."

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