Iqaluit, NU – This July, Iqaluit welcomed Inuit delegates from across the circumpolar North as the Inuit Circumpolar Council gathers for its General Assembly. Throughout the city, visitors proudly wore clothing that reflects the traditions, artistry and identities of their home regions across Inuit Nunangat, in a wonderful celebration of Inuit culture, creativity and community.
To recognize the occasion, Ampere’s Iqaluit Makerspace and Skills Hub partnered with the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Community Services, Sealing and Fishing Division to host a Pop-Up Seal Products Fashion Show.
The Sealing and Fishing Division maintains an impressive collection of handcrafted seal skin parkas created by talented artisans from communities across Nunavut. For the week, these one-of-a-kind garments transformed the Makerspace and Skills Hub into a gallery of Inuit craftsmanship, giving visitors an opportunity to appreciate the extraordinary skill, creativity and knowledge behind every piece.
For us, the exhibit was a natural fit. Everything we do at Ampere links back to STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematic. Every one of these parkas embodies the principles of STEAM. The artistry is obvious, but each garment also reflects generations of engineering and technological innovation, all within garments that are designed to withstand incredibly harsh climates. Seal skin clothing represents centuries of knowledge about materials, sustainability, craftsmanship and life in the Arctic.
One of the highlights has been watching experienced makers and sewers carefully examine each garment, studying the stitching, techniques and patterns with genuine admiration. These moments led to great conversations about craftsmanship, tradition and the remarkable expertise of Nunavut’s makers.
The exhibit also introduced us to new friends, including delegates from Greenland involved with the Qimmiq Project, a research initiative exploring the vital role sled dogs have played in the history, culture and lives of Northern peoples.
The Makerspace and Skills Hub has been just one part in a city full of celebration. Just across the street, Black Heart Café hosted live circumpolar music, while there were also evening cultural performances downtown by the Elder’s Qammiq in the afternoon, and at Inuksuk High School in the evening. Throughout the week, Iqaluit was alive with music, storytelling, art and community.
For Inuit, seal is far more than JUST a material. It provides food, warmth, light and connection to the land. It is woven into culture, knowledge and identity, reflecting practices that have sustained communities for generations.
We are grateful to have had the opportunity to share this exhibit at the Makerspace, and to take part in such a wonderful celebration of Inuit art and culture, all while making new friends and connections.
About Ampere
For over a decade, Ampere (formerly the Pinnguaq Association) has partnered with rural, remote and Indigenous communities to provide access to science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) education and opportunities. Founded in Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Ampere applies a Lifecycle approach to ensure that its supporting learners at every age, and every stage of life. Ampere offers programming directly through Makerspaces in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Bathurst, New Brunswick, and in the Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, and works directly with community partners, social organizations, governmental funders and educational institutions from coast to coast to coast.
