Karen Kitekudlak

From beautiful Ulukhaktok, NT. Growing up, sewing was a part of everyday life. Every home you went to - there was sewing. From my grandmothers, mother, aunts, cousins- I would watch and later learn. The intricacies and methods are still very astounding to me. How the patterns are made, the ingenuity of certain pieces- traditional clothing is a functional form of art. I started at a young age and stopped after the passing of my grandmother, only a few years ago I began sewing again under the guidance and encouragement of my mother. Each stitch is a link to my grandmothers who have passed. There is a certain pride in seeing something you created keeping someone warm, or bringing someone joy.