Qaunaq Mikkigak

Qaunaq has fond memories of her early years at Nuvudjuaq where she was born, of life in an igloo, and of occasional trips to Cape Dorset (now Kinngait) by dog team. She moved to Cape Dorset with her husband Ogutak (1936-) at the same time as her mother, Mary (1908-1982) and her stepfather, Kopapik ‘A’ Qayuaryuk (c.1923-1969). Her parents were also artists. In 1960 Qaunag began drawing, stopped a few years later, and restarted in 1978. Five of her drawings were made into prints between 1980 and 1986. In 1977, Qaunaq received a jewellery design award for her use of indigenous materials in making a neckpouch. The piece toured the North during 1977 and 1978 in the exhibition The things that make us beautiful, sponsored by Cape Dorset, Gjoa Haven and the Department of Indian Affairs. Qaunagq claims to be one of the first women at Cape Dorset to begin carving. Birds and women are her favourite subjects. Seven of her carvings were included in Women of the North, the 1992 exhibition held at the Marion Scott Gallery in Vancouver. Her latest drawings, in coloured pencil, depict birds and dog teams.

Excerpted, with light edits, from Strange Scenes: Early Cape Dorset Drawings by Jean Blodgett and Susan Gustavison, published by the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, January 1993.