Deborah Qaunaq

Deborah works at taking the excess skin off the hides, stretching them in the process. Carefully pairing off the hides which work together for the design of the Kamiks. Softening and working the hides while bannock cooks on the stove.

Working together, Deborah and Lousia soften the hides, stretching them out and removing extra skin. Slowly the stiff hides become more flexible as they work with them. Using warm water to help, they dip their hands in, gently working it into the stiff hides, being careful to not get them too wet. Tori watches the two of them work, before joining in, learning the feel of the tools in her hands as she begins to work with the hides herself.

Understanding the rhythm of working with the hides, the three of them continue to soften and stretch the hides. Deborah points out how important the dull tools are to stretch the skin, how they cannot be too sharp, as well to avoid stretching the hide too much, as the hair will fall out after long wear from Deborah’s long experience making Kamiks.

Beginning to draw patterns on the hides, they carefully cut them with an ulu to create flat shapes which can be joined together to form the Kamik. Lousia stitches up the patterns as Deborah helps to guide from her years of experience. We also sit in as Deborah speaks about her knowledge and experience with traditional parenting and grandparenting for her children and grandchildren.

Deborah, Lousia and Tori continue sewing, helping each other as threads tangle, knot and run out. Lousia begins making a pattern from black hides to contrast the light caribou hides they are working with. Deborah hunts for a thimble which will fit Tori.

Using a tool made for Deborah by Arctic College, Tori and Deborah begin working to soften the hides further. Showing Tori how to soften them by rolling them, first one way and then the other before crushing them in the space between the metal teeth. Lousia’s pattern is progressing, alternating black and white pieces of hides to create a series of pointed shapes.

Tori begins creating her own pattern for her Kamiks, choosing black and white squares which will alternate along the sides. Once they have been traced, then carefully cut out, they stitch the pieces together, forming a long chain of patterns, one for each side.

With patience, Deborah, Louisa and Tori continue to sew the patterns, stretch the hides and help each other with all the pieces necessary to create beautiful Kamiks. Working mostly in silence, three artists work together to create two pairs of Kamiks.

They begin sticking the patterns onto the hides, joining pieces together to form the largest part of the Kamik. They use the large hide softening tools, continuing to work the hides, making them softer and more pliable. Deborah shares her knowledge for sewing the soles, which are made from ringed-neck seal.

Now they begin working on the soles, shaping them, cutting them to fit, and working with the hide softening tools to help squish the excess fat out of them. Deborah carefully shaves down the skin on the edges of the soles, making sure that when they are sewn, they will fit and pucker against the sides well.

Starting to stick the soles to the hides, takes patience and willingness to pull out stitches and try again a few times. Deborah shares her knowledge from years of working with these traditional materials, helping Louisa and Tori in learning the process.

Attaching the patterned part of the Kamik, they quickly begin to take shape. Louisa tried her pair on and they celebrate the completion of a beautiful pair of Kamiks they had made together.

With her Kamik’s done, Louisa turns to making duffles to go inside. Deborah talks about how times have changed, the availability of materials to make things, and changes with the appearance of money in her community.

Deborah cuts up meat to make broth, before turning to Tori’s Kamiks, which she continues sewing, while Louisa works on embroidering on her duffles. Deborah and Louisa finish the Kamiks for Tori and she tries them on to find they are a perfect fit!