James Avingayoak

James Avingayoak is an Inuvialuit carver and draws the stories or memories the elders a loved one or try bring a cherished memory that they lingers with them.  In turn, just the pleasure of giving an elder joy is enough for Avingayoak  by translating it to paper or stone.   Having to connect with someone and documenting from an elder’s past that changed so much is way of preserving the Inuvialuit history.   He recalls of how some elder’s had tears of joy when Avingayoak was able to capture the likeness of family member that passed.  This act of trade he describes as a way of giving and learning of the Inuvialuit Region of their stories and ways of hunting.  In this exchange he is able to find a harmony in giving and receiving self-satisfaction of helping a person trying to transcribe a memory.   He continues to draw for elders of the community of Tuktoyaktuk, NT and other towns such as Inuvik, NT.

  Originally from Cambridge bay, NU Avingayoak sold many drawings and carvings using the raw materials he has around him from the elder’s stories or focusing on the small details.  Avingayoak likes to use caribou antlers and engrave small intricate patterns and abstraction. He describes the long of carving s satisfying and is self-taught carver learning and watching artists carve.    

Spontaneously makes carvings of animals such as seals, polar bears, or old stories out soap stone or animal bone.  Avingayoak describes the process as a way of keeping the old Inuvialuit ways for the elders.  His dedication and humble personality doesn’t go unnoticed in each of his work showing a genuine interest in people’s stories, tales and humor.  He has sold many carvings and drawings to all across Canada who have passed to see the Arctic region of the Inuvialuit.