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Canku Ota |
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(Many Paths) |
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An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America |
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April 5, 2003 - Issue 84 |
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Letting Their Hair Down |
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by KIRSTEN MURPHY - Nunatsiaq
News
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credits: All photos
by Kirsten Murphy
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"Hey
Paul, I feel younger already," barks Peter Kilabuk, the minister
of education, to Premier Paul Okalik. Okalik,
who is seated on the far side of Arctic Colleges hairdressing studio,
responds by expressing his disappointment at the prospect of losing, not
gaining, hair. A handful of MLAs were recently invited to receive haircuts at the hands of eight students graduating from the colleges first certificate hairdressing program in April. The
complimentary coifs were an opportunity for students to demonstrate their
acquired skills, skills theyll take back to their home communities. The
invitation to have their locks lopped off was extended to all Nunavut
MLAs. But only five politicians accepted the invitation. The
missing members didnt have much to lose, Okalik jokes: "They
dont have enough hair." Its
been a long haul for the hairdressing students from Arviat, Hall Beach,
Igloolik, Kimmirut and Iqaluit who have endured eight months of theory
and hands-on training, all in English. At least one student dropped out
after the demands of studying and raising five children proved too much. For
those who have toughed it out, the bright yellow studio at the North 40
campus residence has been their home away from home since September. Collages
of coquettish hair models stare down from the classrooms walls.
Many of the workstations have at least one family photo or personal keepsake
pinned to it. The mood the night the MLAs arrive is jovial. Students mill about, picking out CDs and practising last minute blow-drying techniques. The
relaxed atmosphere is a far cry from the legislative chambers where, hours
earlier, the territorys proposed education act was quashed. With
the day behind them, any discomfort the visiting politicians feel when
stepping through the door is quickly eased by instructor Suzanne Laliberte. Each
MLA is matched with a student at Lalibertes instructions. Jokes
are flying. Nervous laughter fills the room. The
lively atmosphere generates a mixture of reactions. Kilabuk,
whose department funded the hairdressing program, eases into a padded
hairdressers chair. A protective plastic cape is draped over his
shoulders and the Pangnirtung MLAs happily accept an invitation to have
his salt-and-pepper hair dyed black. "Just
in case my constituents in Pangnirtung do not recognize me with my new
hairdo, Im still the same person," Kilabuk tells fellow MLAs
the next day. Jobie
Nutarak, MLA for Tunnuniq, is ushered to a sink. The retractable chair
slides toward the tap and his head is quickly engulfed in frothy shampoo. Uqqummuit
MLA David Iqaqrialu and Amittuq MLA Enoki Irqittuq lose themselves in
hairstyling magazines. When Irqittuq finds a photo of the hairstyle he likes, he shows student hairdresser Deliah Karetak and offers a mammoth smile. The
response in the legislative assembly the next day is favourable. "I
told Mr. Irqittuq I didnt think he could look any better but he
does look better after the haircut," Okalik jokes.
Irqittuq commended the students for a job well done. "Im
very proud of these students," he says. Funding
permitting, the program will be offered again next year, said Cindy Cowan,
director of community programs, academic studies and trades for the college. "The first year has gone really well. The completion rate is indicative of the students commitment and desire to do well," she said.
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