Inuit Futures in Arts Leadership, in collaboration with the Inuit Art Foundation, is excited to share the next event in our “De-ICE-olation” Online Artist Workshop Series! Watch the recorded video below of seamstress Papatsi Kotierk sharing some tips and tricks for parka making – including how to sew zippers and pockets, as well as Papatsi’s 30-minute livestream Q&A on everything sewing! (See Below)

The Q&A session took place online using Zoom. This workshop, like every De-ICE-olation event, was free.

Papatsi Kotierk is an accomplished seamstress who has been making parkas, pualuuk, kamik, amautiit (for all seasons) and many other kinds of clothing for over a decade. Papatsi started out as a child making her own doll’s clothes and small items, and after attempting her first amauti at just ten years old, Papatsi became hooked on sewing with a sewing machine. At first she sewed for herself and family, but once she began taking orders she never stopped. Papatsi is always researching and honing her craft; she loves to analyze how store bought garments are made and has fun designing new patterns and trying new techniques. She is excited to share her love of sewing with others during this time of isolation. Papatsi is currently enrolled in the Aurniarvik: Inuktut second language program for Inuit at the Pirurvik Center, in partnership with the University of Victoria.