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.
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.
How Inuit traditions and satellite Internet help create jobs in Nunavut
Kiluk Ltd in Arviat, Nunavut produces fine fur and leather clothing making extensive use of traditional materials, including northern leather and sealskin furs. Talented Inuit seamstresses design and sew jackets, mitts, vests, wall hangings, purses and accessories. General Manager Sherlyn Kadjuk describes how a lot of their product is sold through the Ivalu.ca website to people across Nunavut and Canada. Access to QINIQ broadband services is essential to their business success. Video sponsored by SSi Canada (https://www.ssicanada.com) operators of the QINIQ (https://www.qiniq.com) broadband network in Nunavut. Thanks to Regalee Curley, Bernadette Illungiayok, Sherlyn Kadjuk, and Linda Nutarasungnik of Kiluk Ltd. (http://www.ivalu.ca/pages/Kiluk.html) for sharing your valuable time and beautiful creations in making this video. Videographer Ivan Hughes, Compass Digital Media (http://www.compassdigital.ca). Producer Lorraine Thomas, Imaituk Inc. (http://www.imaituk.ca). Special thanks to Dylan Clark, who donated aerial footage of Arviat.
Taloyoak Story Teller and Gjoa Haven Fishermen
Host: Michael Haqpi Segment 1: Peter Peetooloot of Taloyoak talks about good hunting and fishing places. Peter Peetooloot talks about his childhood even before Taloyoak was a community. Segment 2: Silas Aittauq of Baker Lake is making dog harness from caribou skin legs. Segment 3: Hunters of Taloyoak fishing at a Fishing Weir with Kakivak. Segment 4: Silas Aittauq of Baker Lake is frying caribou meat the traditional way using rocks and Arctic Heather as fuel.
Takuyaksat Show # 84
Producer: Baker Lake - Inuit Broadcasting Corporation Host: Brenda Qijuk Segment 1: John Tugak talks about his experiences seeing large fish in the river and other strange fish. Segment 2: John Ivalutanar from Naujat, Nunavut and Josiah Nulilaak share their traditional knowledge about snow formation.
Kugluktuk Delicacies
Malaya learns to make the most interesting traditional food by Inuit such as moose hooves, fermented fish heads and fried arctic char over an open fire.
Parks Project #2
Host: Brenda Qijuk Segment 1: This is about caribou clothing made by Hargvartumiut near Baker Lake. Marjorie Aqigarq talks about the clothing. Segment 2: Jacob Ikinilik talks about skinning the caribou the proper way. Segment 3: Martha Nukik talks about how to tan a caribou skin. She also demonstrates how to use traditional tools.
Archive 04072IQ
Host: Julie Ivalu Segment 1: Hannah Uyarak talks about how sinew was made. Hannah Uyarak talks about getting sinew from Narwhal back muscle, Caribou back and leg muscle, fox tail muscle and ring and bearded seal throat. Margaret Kipsigak and Madeline Ivalu demonstrate how sinew is made from Narwhal back muscle. Segment 2: Lydia Qalluttiaq Maliki making Traditional Inuit clothing from seal skin and dog fur scrapes.
Martha Tikivik
Host Henry Naulaq speaks with guest Martha Tikivik. Martha Tikivik talks about her life when she was growing up in Kimmirut and about how she moved to Iqaluit. In this show she shows us about the amautiq, a traditional Inuit backpack for carrying a child. She also talks about the work she did at the resident for students in Iqaluit.
Mosha Akavak, Eemeelayou A
Host Henry Naulaq interviews Mosha Akavak and Emeelayou Arnaquq about the traditional kayak.