IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY
Pam Gross' first big project with the Kitikmeot Heritage Society, successfully completed, is what she's been dreaming of.

Mary Kaniak, left, and Navalik Tologanak, right, watch as Mara Avalak works a piece of soapstone that will become a qulliq by the end of a five-day women's qulliq-making workshop offered by the Kitikmeot Heritage Centre in Cambridge Bay Feb. 23 to 27. - photo courtesy of Pam Gross

"To work in this field," she said.

Gross recently returned home to Cambridge Bay after completing the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program, a bachelor of arts in anthropology and aboriginal studies from Carleton University and a pre-masters program in indigenous governance at the University of Winnipeg and the Nunavut Heritage Training Institute.

The first big project is the Women's Qulliq-making Workshop which took place during the final week of February.

"One of the strengths we have is the elders we have here. They're always so delighted to participate in projects. They bring the community members together to learn about our culture," said Gross.

The qulliq workshop was specifically for women.

"It was a great bonding experience. It was great to come together and celebrate being an Inuk woman."

Intended to cover all the bases, from carving a shapeless chunk of soapstone to the ceremonial lighting, the workshop saw 22 women complete their own qulliit over a five-day period.

"There were a lot of personal moments, healing moments, moments of cultural pride and personal pride."

Gross explains that all the projects, programs and workshops organized by the society are inspired from ideas contributed by the community, and specifically elders, intended to revitalize traditional practices. Up until now, qulliq making had been discussed but never pursued. Five elders taught 17 other women, while also making qullit of their own.

While traditionally men carved, it was decided that carving would be incorporated. "(The workshop) was specifically for women, starting from the beginning," said Gross.

The first day included talking and learning about the qulliq; the last time the women had seen one, whether they'd grown up with one.

Soapstone had to be shipped from Edmonton because harvesting stone in winter is not possible. As the women carved out the shape, they continued talking, sharing and learning.

A sweet surprise arrived when three girls, out of school for the week, joined the workshop.

"It was nice to have them come in. They just started showing up. The girls had a mother or grandmother in the workshop. They made their own small qulliit."

Arctic cotton, harvested over the summer and collected during the season, served as burning material.

"Traditionally, peat moss was used as well, mixed with the Arctic cotton. The mix allowed the wick to burn longer," said Gross. But the group did not have peat moss,

The traditional atqut – lighting stick – of caribou antler was used.

"It was used to spread the fire across the qulliq. In the past, it took a long time to light. They would use flint, creating a spark and lighting some plants on fire in the bag, then transfer the fire over to the qulliq."

The Kitikmeot Heritage Society has many projects on the go, but a few shorter term endeavours coming up include a three-month kamiik-making program for youth funded by the Department of Justice, a traditional bone games workshop, a drum dance workshop with the school and an amulet-making workshop, which is an extension of the research done during an Inuinnait land camp in late July.

"We're very grateful for the funding. It's a vital part of making sure we're able to host these programs. It's very important in keeping our culture alive," said Gross, adding it's always something she tries to communicate with participants.

"It costs money and it takes a lot of effort.

That's key."

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