Residents in Paulatuk were grateful this Thanksgiving Monday as several were able to attend a mitten making workshop hosted by the RCMP.
The workshop was held on Monday, October 14, and involved several community members learning how to make traditional Inuvialuit mittens.
“It was a huge success,” Cpl. Cara Streeter, Detachment Commander for Paulatuk RCMP said. “With great stories and laughter.”
The Elders guided the workshop and each participant made their own pattern, cut their materials and was guided on the process of sewing them together.
“I couldn’t wait to see the finished products,” Cpl. Streeter said. “Starting and finishing a handmade item is such an accomplishment and builds a sense of pride.”
One participant commented that it was “So nice to see the police connecting and hanging out with us” and another mentioned they enjoyed the workshop and would love to have the chance to gather more often.
The workshop was made feasible through an RCMP grant program. In early 2019, the Paulatuk RCMP applied for the grant through the RCMP Family Violence Initiative Fund and were successful in securing funds to host two workshops: a mitten workshop and parka workshop.
The goal of the workshop was to raise awareness and create a conversation around domestic violence, create positive relationships with the police and carry on traditions of Inuvialuit culture.
The next session for the mitten workshop is scheduled on Thursday, October 17, where participants will finish their mittens and complete the liners. The parka making workshop will be held in November and already, residents are looking forward to it.
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