1

Meeko (Sarah) Nastapoka
2009
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada


Credits:
Photo: Devora Cascante

2

Meeko Sarah Nastapoka [b. 1922]

"Although I have a lot of stories, I can't carve because I carved so much that my hands do not work anymore." (Interview with Inuit Art Foundation staff in Inukjuak in 2009)

"Today the elderly are still carving but it is hard for them because they get tired easily. The young people are going to school now; before the children were going to school they were making carvings, but since school began, there aren't as many carvers." (2009)



Her story
Meeko Sarah Nastapoka was born in 1925. She began carving when she was 15, after the arrival of James Houston. Her first carvings were ashtrays, matchboxes, soapstone lamps, seals, and whales. She also made woven grass baskets. These were all objects Inuit produced to trade with itinerants. She collaborated with her husband, Abraham Nastapoka, a well-known carver. In 1974, she and her son, Davidee Nastapoka, set-up a place to carve near the Inukjuak River. Along with carving and making grass baskets, she also created dolls. Her work is included in private and public collections throughout Canada. Along with carving, Nastapoka was active in her community; she and Mary Amidlak were founders of Avataq Cultural Institute.

Her art
Meeko Sarah Nastapoka could not sign her own name and asked her husband to sign her works with his name. She used to go by dogteam to quarry her own soapstone, which was located in a quarry 50 miles away in a place called Sungauyak, meaning "beautiful stone" (Wight 2006:75). She continued to carve until her hands were too frail for this work.


References
Wight, Darlene
2006 Early Masters. Winnipeg: Winnipeg Art Gallery.

3

Meeko Sarah Nastapoka
30 January 2009
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada


Credits:
Translation: Annie Weetaluktuk

4

"Man Carving Stone" by Meeko (Sarah) Nastapoka
1950 - 2000
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada


Credits:
Photo: University of Lethbridge Gallery

5

Holy water vessel carved by Meeko (Sarah) Nastapoka
1950 - 2000
Inukjuak, Quebec, Canada


Credits:
Photo: Devora Cascante