Peggy Andersen

Margaret Andersen of Makkovik, NL is known to everyone as ‘Peggy’ and currently lives and works in the northern most community in Labrador/Nunatsiavut – Nain. She is the Executive Director of Torngat Arts and Crafts Incorporated (TAAC). TAAC has a retail outlet that sells arts and crafts made in Nunatsiavut, but more specifically by artisans living in Nain. Andersen is passionate about her Inuit culture; the history of the Inuit; their language and way of life.

Andersen was born and raised in Makkovik, Nunatsiavut, NL but moved on from there after her first husband passed away when their children were 9, 6, 3 and 2 years of age. She is currently living in Nain with a common-law husband and has added two more children of her own, plus two stepchildren in her ever growing family. As an Inuit craft producer Andersen’s forté is to work with sealskin – preferably raw, natural sealskin. She cleans her own skins and crafts her own kamik, pualuk, slippers, as well as for other members of her family. Although raw and natural is her preference, she is known to work with the chemically tanned pieces as well.

Andersen has made varying types of boots for adults and children, mitts in varying designs in adult and children’s sizes, wallets and purses, as well as garnished sealskin pieces to garments to off-set the look for a more ‘Inuit-inspired’ style. Although her preference is working with sealskin, she is also known to work with leather, moosehide, and duffle, as well as in the art of beading. Although working full-time Andersen also makes time to do some painting on canvas, as well as silk.