Qilauti (Drum)

The traditional drum was made of drift wood that a man would often find in the water while sailing his qajaq. The skin was made of a thin rawhide from a caribou stomach. The skin was wrapped with ivalu which is the sinew of a caribou back. The katuk (stick) was made from left over wood or antler and the thickest leather you could find either aiviq (walrus) or ujjuk (bearded seal) wrapped around. A modern drum is made of lumber, wax thread, nails, leather and glue. We invite David Serkoak, a long time drum dancer and drum maker to explain the process of making both a traditional and modern drum as well as teaching us the maintenance involved. He also shares the history of the qilauti (drum), the dance moves and the rituals surrounding the songs and performance.

Unaaq (Harpoon)

The Unaaq (Harpoon) has many uses for the Inuit, two main uses are for harpooning a catch such as seals at their breathing holes, walruses, whales and other sea and land animals such as caribou. This ancient weapon was also used to make sure the ice is safe, by harpooning the ice you will step on. For many years Inuit made this tool from animal bones and used dried walrus intestines cut up to make rope. Today, Inuit make their harpoons from what is readily available in modern technology such as steep rods for the fore shaft and their heads, the arrow from brass, steel or aluminum. A hunter from Iqaluit, Jerry Ell will take us through the many steps to make a modern harpoon and he will also show us the way he makes an arrow.

Arts & Crafts

The north is filled with talented artists, some artists are known worldwide. In this episode we will see a variety of art. Johnny Qamaniq will show us how he makes jewellery earrings. Theresa Ukkalianuk will show how she makes a beaded necklace, and then Barbara Akoak will show how she makes earrings out of tulugak (Raven) feet.

Kakkivak (spear)

For centuries the fish spear known to Inuit as the Kakivak has been in existence. It has assisted Inuit in spearing fish from rivers. This spear would have been made mostly from bone and occasionally driftwood for the long shaft; the point would have been sharper, at times made of rock, but mostly bone. These days there is plenty of wood around, and the point could be made from steel, brass or other hard elements. In this episode we will watch Solomon Awa, a hunter from Iqaluit, originally from Pond Inlet demonstrate the making of a modern Kakivak.

Tunniit (Traditional Tattoo)

Many Inuit mostly women are taking part in a revival of traditional Inuit tattoos. Traditionally, Inuit women, mostly in their teenage years received symbolic designs on their face and arms and sometimes on their legs as an expression of beauty. The tools used were made of caribou bone for stitching and poking. Stitching would be done with a bone needle and the thread made of sinew from the back of a caribou muscle soaked in natural ink such as soot of a burning traditional seal oil lamp. The needle would be used again when the tattoo was finished the needle would be stored in a seal skin cover with seal fat to protect it from getting dirty.

Atigi (Parka)

Inuit have worn Parkas for thousands of years. Parkas would traditional be made from furs of land animals such as caribou and wolf and others, also from sealskin from seals and other marine mammals. It was also common for Inuit to use bird skin to tediously make their warm parkas. Inuit had to make their clothing from what was available to them. These days Parkas can be made from todays materials. We will watch Mary Lee-Aliyak originally from Rankin Inlet, living in Iqaluit on the process of making a modern parka.

Nanuq Inspired

The modern Inuit are using more of the bones and claws of animals to make jewelry and art. In this episode, a renown artists in jewelry making Mathew Nuginaq will show us how he turns a polar bear claw into an amazing pendant.

Qamutiq

For thousands of years Inuit has used the Qamutiq in the north as a means of transportation. Back them it could have been made from frozen fish and freezing ice under to make it run smooth and fast. Other things such as bone and skins, driftwood and whatever would have been used as well. In this episode we will watch a more modern way a sled would be made. These days’ ropes are used rather than animal products. Lumber is used as well as plastic sheets for the bottom. We will watch Jerry Ell make a Qamutiq for a child to slide and play with.

Amauti

The Amauti has long been used by Inuit to carry their babies in sometimes even when they are over three years old. Women in different regions and smaller areas would make their amauti’s differently. The materials used would be made of animal products such as caribou and sealskin, sometimes birds. These days the modern Amauti is made of fabric and other modern materials such as polyester and wool. In this episode, we will watch an elder from Iqaluit, Annie Nattaq make a child’s amauti with a long back.

Kamik Making

Kamik making is very tedious and an incredible process. There are so many steps - from cleaning a seal skin, scrapping the fat off, drying it, stretching it, softening it, sizing it, cutting it, chewing it and then sewing it all together. We will follow Alicee Joamie in Iqaluit as she shows us the steps to make a pair of kamiks.