Snowshoe-making workshop comes to Inuvik, N.W.T.

A snowshoe-making workshop in Inuvik, N.W.T., filled up so fast that within days of it being advertised, organizers were already planning another one for later this winter.

The first two-day workshop, for six people, takes place this weekend at the Inuvik Native Band office. It started on Friday evening and is being held by the Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning.

Noel Cockney is an instructor with Dechinta. He has hosted fish-cutting workshops, been a part of moosehide tanning, and helps with the centre's programming when it's offered in the region. He has also made a traditional Inuvialuit log and sod house near his hometown of Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T.

"This one I am just completing the weaving of the main body," Cockney explained as he showed some of his workshop materials to a group of onlookers at the Inuvik Native Band office on Tuesday afternoon. 

He started learning how to craft the snowshoes last month, building his first set while watching online videos and mimicking the design of snowshoes he has at home.

For Cockney, it's all part of passing on Inuvialuit traditions.

"It's a lot about just bringing back a bunch of our culture that's not regularly practiced anymore — so to be able to actually not only learn how to do these things but also pass the knowledge on that I am learning and teaching myself," said Cockney.

He learned how to adapt to harsh climates and use the materials at his disposal while living on the land, so teaching himself how to make the snowshoes was a challenge that Cockney was prepared for.

"I mean yeah, it would be great to have someone to actually have found someone to teach me — but it's also a fun process in experimenting as well. My grandfather always taught me how to tinker with things and this is exactly one of those things," he said.

Laska Nerysoo is the manager of the Inuvik Native Band who has worked with Dechinta and Cockney on many occasions. She says their office is always happy to help host these cultural activities.

"It's really exciting and I am so proud that we get these opportunities. It's all part of mental wellness and connecting to our culture and sharing that knowledge," said Nerysoo.

Cockney hopes to have another workshop held before Christmas break or early in the new year.