Hiking Nunavut’s vast tundra, I’m always thrilled to spot an inuksuk, those man-like stone markers with welcoming arms spread wide. In Canada’s treeless outback, it’s comforting to see any human shape, even if it is made of stone.
Northern artists have always carved small inuksuit to sell. But since VANOC chose the image as the official 2010 Winter Games mascot, inuksuk carving has picked up pace. For the first time, an Olympic organizing committee has partnered with indigenous peoples to create an official licensed merchandising program. And, as part of that effort, commissioned hundreds of inuksuit from Inuit carvers in the remote North.
Working from templates, the carvers put their own distinctive style into the official Olympic souvenir. Created from traditional green or black stone, they come packaged in a special 2010 Games-branded tin complete with the carver’s name and a short biography; no two are the same.
“The project is particularly good for carvers in communities that don’t see a lot of tourist traffic,” says Brian Lunger, manager and curator of Iqaluit, NU’s Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum.
It’s also good for the Aboriginal Youth Legacy Fund, which receives one-third of the sales proceeds to support education, sport and cultural initiatives for Aboriginal youth across Canada.
Inuit carvers have a long tradition of creating everything from dancing walruses to fierce-looking shaman figures out of stone. Some Nunavut communities are especially well-known for their quality work:
- Kinngait Studios in Cape Dorset, NU is home to the North’s most famous carvers, whose works have been presented to royalty and presidents.
- In the community of Kirmmirut, NU you can tour the local quarry that the soapstone used for carving comes from.
- Watch carvers work outside their homes in Iqaluit, NU on a sunny day or browse Iqaluit Fine Arts.
- Pangnirtung, NU’s Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts offers carvings as well as prints and tapestries.
- The distinctive carvings from Gjoa Haven, NU often incorporate whalebone, walrus ivory and muskox horn.
www.nunavuttourism.com
Read more on inuksuit.
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