Interview With Elisapee Avingaq

Host Lucy Tulugarjuk interviews artist, fashion designer and jewelry maker Elisapee Avingaq LIVE on November 4th, 2020.

Born in Frobisher Bay, NWT (now Iqaluit). The youngest of Susan (Seamstress, Actor, Production Designer, Screen writer, Author) and Jacob (Carver) Avingaq. She was raised in Igloolik but because her dad worked at the school she would be out on the land late spring and summer when school was out.

She took Nunavut Youth Abroad and travel to southern Canada and Africa during High school and went to Nunavut Sivuniksavut in Ottawa in 2002-03.

Took the Katimavik Program in 2005.

Took the Management Studies Program In Rankin Inlet 2010-2012.

She has two sons, Angutirjuaq Jacob Avingaq and Nanuraq Ashuna Avingaq-Whitmore.

She started sewing when she was little and watched her mother sewing all her life.

She started making amauti’s and parkas, hats and mitts when her son was born, because she wanted to make clothes in the styles she liked with the help of her mother.

She started making jewelry only a few years ago for special events or as gifts for her friends and family and eventually to anyone who asked.

Her work was featured at the fashion show by InukChic- Martha Kyak Designs there.