• ACTUALITÉs

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Inukjuak, March 24, 2009 – Aumaaggiivik Nunavik Arts Secretariat, a new department at Avataq Cultural Institue to support and nurture the artists of Nunavik, officially kicked off activities earlier this month with a pilot training project in Inukjuak. The Inukjuak Jewellry Project began the first of two 8-week training modules on March 2, 2009. Inukjuak artists will learn the aesthetic, technical and cultural aspects of high-end jewellry-making. The goal is to create an inspiring and dynamic learning environment that supports open exchange among carvers and jewellers.

“Without the drive of the artists, the project would not have been realized. This is only one example of what we can do together as organizations focusing on our people, supporting their needs and career ambitions," said Tommy Palliser of the Kativik Regional Government, an early and enthusiastic advocate of the Inukjuak Jewellry Project, which has been in development since 2004 when four artists in the community began drawing up a business plan for a jewellry studio. Since then, the project has come under the wing of Aumaaggiivik and been developed into a community resource.

"The jewelry shop in Inukjuak will be used to teach Nunavimmiut about jewelry making. It will benefit Nunavimmiut, even though they do not have special permits, licences, diplomas or certificates," said Andrew Nulukie, one of the original artists to propose a jewellry workshop for Inukjuak and now a student in the course.

The Inukjuak Jewellry Project was made possible thanks to the long-term loan of a building in Inukjuak owned by Makivik Corporation as well as contributions from Kativik Regional Government’s Diversification Fund and Employment and Training program, and Kativik Local Development’s Socio-Economic Fund. The course and workshop space were designed by Montreal media artist Catherine Béchard, a former jeweller with extensive experience in Northern communities, in collaboration with Bruna Mastroianni of Kativik School Board. Students from Nunavimmi Pigiursavik Adult Education Centre participated in the building renovations.

Instructor Linda Brown will work with artists Joanasie Elijassiapik, Andrew Nulukie, Laina Nulukie, Eva Lucy Inukpuk, Inuksiak Arnamissak, Elijah Tukai, Jeffrey Kasudluak, and Clara Kasudluak. The group is already planning an exhibition of their work during the Makivik AGM in Inukjuak this week. The workshop space will also be available for the Nunavik Artist Workshops, which are organized by Makivik, and will be held in the community next fall.

Katarina Soukup Artist Liaison Avataq Cultural Institute 514-576-8590 katarina@avataq.qc.ca http://www.avataq.qc.ca

Dawn Forrest Communications Officer Kativik Regional Government 819-964-2961 ext. 2219 dforrest@krg.ca http://www.krg.ca

Sammy J. Kudluk Artist Liaison Makivik Corporation 819-964-2925 s_kudluk@makivik.org http://www.makivik.org