Sealskin Solidarity Heart Pins

Uvanga atira Taalrumiq. Inuvialuuyunga.  My name is Taalrumiq. I am Inuvialuk from Tuktoyaktuk, Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Northwest Territories.  I was named at birth by local Elders in my community in the customary Inuvialuit way after my maternal Great Grandmother Taalrumiq who was named after her Grandmother.  To have an ancestral name is a wonderful gift. I have been sewing and creating since I was a young girl, taught and encouraged by my Mother.  I  studied Fashion Design and Secondary Education at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and minored in Art. I graduated in 2009 with both a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology and Bachelor of Education degrees.  I also have a red seal Journeyman certificate in Hairstyling.  I was always drawn to creative outlets. I am an Artist, Fashion Designer, Cultural Educator and Inuvialuit Content Creator.

I inherited my talent and skill from my matrilineal line of creative Inuit Seamstresses and Gwich'in Jijuus, experts at their craft, who sewed for survival as well as creative expression. My contemporary education, passion, creative vision and dedication to excellence allow a unique opportunity for me to create, teach and share Inuvialuit culture with the world as a form of storytelling and cultural preservation. At the same time reclaiming loss of culture, pride in Inuit identity, and healing of intergenerational trauma. 

As a Multidisciplinary Artist and modern Inuvialuk woman, the love and respect for my Inuit culture, Ancestors, Elders, community members and inherent connection to my ancestral homeland of Tuktuuyaqtuuq inspires and informs my Art and Design and way of being in the world. Our innate connection to the land, water, sky, animals are evident in my work. Working with traditional Inuvialuit design elements and organic materials like sealskin, fur, hides, feathers and antler in combination with post fur trade era materials like sequins, glitter and metallic leather, I create contemporary Inuvialuit Couture accessories like jewelry & mittens, garments and original Inuit fine art pieces. 

A set of sealskin pandemic masks I created titled 'Inuvialuit Fortitude' are currently on tour across Canada with the 'Breathe.' exhibit.  My sealskin walrus tusk pandemic mask with beaded Tuktoyaktuk landscape, titled 'The Bounty of our Land'  is currently touring Canada as part of the 'Breathe. 2nd wave' exhibit, and I was commissioned to create a sealskin pandemic mask titled 'Unmasking Identity: Reclaiming Inuit identity in Modern times' currently featured in the Unmasking the Pandemic: From Personal Protection to Personal Expression' exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.  Named one of Canada's top 10 Inuit Sealskin Designers to watch in 2021 by the Inuit Art Quarterly and was recently 1 of 10 designers in the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity 2022 Indigenous Haute Couture Program.

I create each piece with the utmost care, quality and attention to detail as if I was sewing for my own family. I love the materials, process and story behind each piece and the opportunity to share with others.  See more of my work and digital content on my social media including facebook, Instagram, twitter, Youtube & tiktok @taalrumiq.  

Quyanainni (Thank you)!

Monday 9-4 PST
Tuesday 9-4 PST
Wednesday 9-4 PST
Thursday 9-4 PST
Friday 9-4 PST
Saturday 9-4 PST
Sunday Closed