(Post 3 of 4)

Barbra Akoak is a young artist working in Matthew’s studio. She engraved these ulu earrings with patterns from traditional tattoos that honour the seal. “The zig zag represents the flame of the qulliq” (a seal oil lamp). “I bless the metal, the stones, myself, everything. My family tells me that I’m part native. Maybe 1/32nd or something, but I want to honour that part of myself. I identify as Inuk.” Barbra Akoak will start university in Halifax this fall and she wants to study commerce. “As a kid, I always enjoyed drawing, but I never thought of it as a way to make a living.” At this studio, if Matthew isn’t around, look for the sign on the door (next post).