Saddened by loss of Arctic Creations

It’s late Saturday afternoon and I’ve been sewing all day. I realize I’ve run out of blue and yellow binding for an amautik. I rush to Northmart to find some before they close at 6 p.m.

All I find are red and green ones. I rush to Arctic Ventures. They have no binds at all. I reluctantly go home defeated.

I see a truck on the road — it seems to be carrying a lot of stuff. Wow! It’s a truck full of binds, and notions and sewing fabric. They’re leftovers from a closing-out sale being packed out of Arctic Creations. I wistfully look at all the boxed up material and wish I could buy blue and yellow binds one last time.

Whenever I thought of Iqaluit, I thought of Monica Ell’s store, Arctic Creations. To me it was a beckoning presence that stood out from other stores. That’s where I’d go the most to shop.

She had many things other stores didn’t have in stock and they were much more reasonably priced. She has provided many valuable supplies that probably clothed hundreds of people with their amautiit and qulittaujat, two big items in the Arctic.

Monica is an inspiration and a hero to me because she’s made me see that I too can start up a sewing and notions store with much hard work.

Thanks Monica for all the years of service you’ve given many, many people. We were shocked, devastated and saddened by the news of your closure.

I wish you all the luck in the world.
Sandra Omik
Iqaluit