Traditional Arts Program

Inside a trailer classroom, where the scent of smoky leather blends with that of coffee. Students of Aurora College's Traditional Arts Program gather around Margaret Nazon. They are all women, and like Margaret says, this trailer is equipped with "everything a northern woman needs", there is a myriad of colorful furs, hides, beads, braid and cloth piled high in the cupboards, and samples of the student's work adorn the walls and the artists themselves.

“You’re a designer,” Margaret said to her students, “You can make your projects the traditional way or try something different.” Here, students are encouraged to learn traditional skills like differentiating between different types of leather for making moccasins. Students run their hands along the brain-tanned leather - the edge is too wrinkly, it’s dryness appropriate for shoelaces, the softest parts are best suited for the pleats along the toe edge of the moccasin. Julia Ekpakohak made a traditional parka with no zipper, using coyote fur as its trim, and embroidery just like the kind on parkas her mother designed. “I miss her very much,” she said, making the parka with her mother’s design was a way of connecting with her past.

The program blends traditional arts with modern marketing skills. “I’m getting comfortable with the outside world,” said Mary Okheena, who is taking this course although she an established print artist from Ulukhaktok. “I’m learning to use a computer to do marketing.”

“I never used to sew before, but once I learnt the stitches it was easy. We also learnt how to carve and weave baskets. There are a lot of seamstresses and artists in Ulukhaktok who need a place to do their work. What I am hoping to get from this course is to help the Ulukhaktok Women’s Co-op get back on its feet.”

Ruth Elanik is another student who sees deep value in this course. “I took a year off work because I’ve always admired other women who sew. With this course, I want to become an entrepreneur, a consultant and pass on this knowledge I’ve learnt.”

“I used to be a career development officer for the IRC. I talked to youth in different communities for a week at a time, counseling them and encouraging to have “a dream” and to go back to school. I would tell them each morning to bring something they’ve made or to speak a word in Inuvialuktun by the end of each day.”

Now, as a student, she enjoys being experimental, trying out different techniques to make something attractive. “On Fridays, we are given an item to take home to make into something else. We call it “the challenge” and it inspires creativity because we have to use recycled items. I used to take material for granted. This weekend I taught my nieces and daughters to make paper beads, their faces were glowing, it makes you feel good about yourself to do something creative.”

Lillian Wright, one of the students, likes how they have learnt to “take criticism and to price products.” These are practical skills that help decide whether an artist can make a living from their talents. “Sometimes we think we’re good, but others who see our work can tell you something you don’t notice. I’ve learnt to make sure I finish what I start, to be organized.”

“I hope this course will be on again next year. I hope to see more artists and seamstresses in the NWT, just like before.” The course is $1800 per semester, and some students have received scholarships and funding. However, it is possible that there will not be enough funding for the course to be carried out again next year. The students showed off their beautiful parkas at an elder’s tea and fashion show, where a mix of both the traditional and modern went confidently down the runway to much admiration and applause. We wish all of them the best as future working artists.

How to make a Paper Bead Necklace

1.Tear pages from a magazine, choosing colors you like

2.Using a stirstick, roll paper around it, and glue it up

3.Let dry, remove bead from stirstick

4.Make as many beads as you need

5.Use clear nail varnish to make beads shiny

6.String together and make necklace!