View the latest news on indigenous artists, seal designs and creations, the seal industry and related events.
Tattoos & Seals – an Inuit Woman’s tradition(4/21/2021)-Inuit Tattoos - Revitalization of an Inuit Woman’s tradition The first time I saw an Inuit tattoo was when I travelled to Europe on a mission with Inuit crafters to promote seal skin products. The women proudly wear these traditional tattoos and I was intrigued to learn more about their significance and history. I was… Continue Reading
The “Amauti”: much more than just a seal parka(4/9/2021)-The Inuit Amauti - The Sealskin Parka - Then and Now The Amauti is so much more than just a parka. Made from seal skin or caribou, the parka was made to protect the Inuit from the northern elements. They were worn traditionally by women to carry their babies but fathers or male caregivers could… Continue Reading
Traditional Inuit Preparation of Seal Skins(3/26/2021)-Throughout history, the seal has been vital to the Inuit way of life providing food, shelter and clothing. Men, women and children all have a role in preparing the seal after the hunt for its many uses. After The Seal is Harvested… After seals are harvested and are skinned by the hunter, Inuit women move… Continue Reading
What are Kamiks and how are they made?(3/8/2021)-Kamiks - the traditional Seal Skin and Caribou boots of the Inuit I will always remember the first time I saw “kamiks”. They were made by Mona Netser, a traditional sealskin seamstress and designer from Coral Harbour, Nunavut. We were in Estonia where she was giving a workshop to Estonian artists on traditional Inuit seal… Continue Reading
When did seal fur become popular?(2/22/2021)-A 4000 years old tradition Traditional Inuit clothing was designed out of necessity — to survive the harsh climate that was a stark reality for the Inuit people. The women, knowing it was essential to keep their community warm and protected from the elements made coats, trousers, mittens and boots. These articles were made mostly… Continue Reading
What is the Ulu used for?(2/15/2021)-What is an Ulu? When I travelled to Europe with Inuit crafters, I quickly learned the importance of a unique tool I had never seen before, the ulu, a beautifully shaped all purpose knife. A beautiful handle of bone, antler or wood (sometimes painted with beautiful designs), paired with a unique blade of metal (years… Continue Reading
Sealing, a Blue Activity?(1/15/2021)-Sealing, a Blue Activity? According to the World Bank, the "Blue Economy" is the "sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem." Seal products are the perfect example of a Blue Activity. In addition to provide food for local human consumption, sealing allows Northern Indigenous communities to take part in… Continue Reading
People of the Seal(1/12/2021)-Canadian Inuit and other Indigenous communities have a deep sealing tradition. Seals have long provided a consistent source of densely nutritious meat. The pelts are used for clothing and shelter. Seal oil is consumed and used a source of fuel and light. The seal hunt was and is a cultural cornerstone for many residents of… Continue Reading
Inuujaq Leslie Fredlund’s Maybe Somewhere grows despite launching just before pandemic(8/13/2020)-When Rankin Inlet’s Inuujaq Leslie Fredlund decided she was going to open her store selling Indigenous-made products at the beginning of 2020, she knew there would be challenges ahead. But not even she could have expected a global pandemic that would bring the local economy to a grinding halt. “It was the summer of 2019… Continue Reading
Pikulu Designs(5/28/2020)-Julie Alivaktuk (Pikulu Designs) is a contemporary seamstress, working primarily in hand-made seal skin products. From Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Julie’s work weaves the beauty of her natural surroundings with modern design to create thoughtful and unique pieces. Working alongside her mother from a young age, Julie’s practice remains intricately rooted in family tradition and culture. A… Continue Reading
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Tattoos & Seals – an Inuit Woman’s tradition (4/21/2021) - Inuit Tattoos - Revitalization of an Inuit Woman’s tradition The first time I saw an Inuit tattoo was when I travelled to Europe on a mission with Inuit crafters to promote seal skin products. The women proudly wear these traditional tattoos and I was intrigued to learn more about their significance and history. I was… Continue Reading
The “Amauti”: much more than just a seal parka (4/9/2021) - The Inuit Amauti - The Sealskin Parka - Then and Now The Amauti is so much more than just a parka. Made from seal skin or caribou, the parka was made to protect the Inuit from the northern elements. They were worn traditionally by women to carry their babies but fathers or male caregivers could… Continue Reading
Traditional Inuit Preparation of Seal Skins (3/26/2021) - Throughout history, the seal has been vital to the Inuit way of life providing food, shelter and clothing. Men, women and children all have a role in preparing the seal after the hunt for its many uses. After The Seal is Harvested… After seals are harvested and are skinned by the hunter, Inuit women move… Continue Reading
What are Kamiks and how are they made? (3/8/2021) - Kamiks - the traditional Seal Skin and Caribou boots of the Inuit I will always remember the first time I saw “kamiks”. They were made by Mona Netser, a traditional sealskin seamstress and designer from Coral Harbour, Nunavut. We were in Estonia where she was giving a workshop to Estonian artists on traditional Inuit seal… Continue Reading
When did seal fur become popular? (2/22/2021) - A 4000 years old tradition Traditional Inuit clothing was designed out of necessity — to survive the harsh climate that was a stark reality for the Inuit people. The women, knowing it was essential to keep their community warm and protected from the elements made coats, trousers, mittens and boots. These articles were made mostly… Continue Reading
What is the Ulu used for? (2/15/2021) - What is an Ulu? When I travelled to Europe with Inuit crafters, I quickly learned the importance of a unique tool I had never seen before, the ulu, a beautifully shaped all purpose knife. A beautiful handle of bone, antler or wood (sometimes painted with beautiful designs), paired with a unique blade of metal (years… Continue Reading
Sealing, a Blue Activity? (1/15/2021) - Sealing, a Blue Activity? According to the World Bank, the "Blue Economy" is the "sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem." Seal products are the perfect example of a Blue Activity. In addition to provide food for local human consumption, sealing allows Northern Indigenous communities to take part in… Continue Reading
People of the Seal (1/12/2021) - Canadian Inuit and other Indigenous communities have a deep sealing tradition. Seals have long provided a consistent source of densely nutritious meat. The pelts are used for clothing and shelter. Seal oil is consumed and used a source of fuel and light. The seal hunt was and is a cultural cornerstone for many residents of… Continue Reading
Inuujaq Leslie Fredlund’s Maybe Somewhere grows despite launching just before pandemic (8/13/2020) - When Rankin Inlet’s Inuujaq Leslie Fredlund decided she was going to open her store selling Indigenous-made products at the beginning of 2020, she knew there would be challenges ahead. But not even she could have expected a global pandemic that would bring the local economy to a grinding halt. “It was the summer of 2019… Continue Reading
Pikulu Designs (5/28/2020) - Julie Alivaktuk (Pikulu Designs) is a contemporary seamstress, working primarily in hand-made seal skin products. From Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Julie’s work weaves the beauty of her natural surroundings with modern design to create thoughtful and unique pieces. Working alongside her mother from a young age, Julie’s practice remains intricately rooted in family tradition and culture. A… Continue Reading