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Spare time but high skill

Baker Lake youth’s beadwork impresses
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Blue-and-white whale tails show the Nunavut connections in Samantha Putumiraqtuq’s beadwork.

She’s a senior in high school and beads in her spare time, but one would hardly know it’s just a side skill by the quality of Samantha Putumiraqtuq’s art.

“I create different types of jewelry using different types of antler,” said the Baker Lake resident, who is also an eyelash technician and is involved in various artistic pursuits.

Her social media feed inspires her artwork, as well as influential people in her life.

“There are some women, like Paula Piryuaq, who has helped me and provides a lot for me when I ask,” said Putumiraqtuq.

For now, her work is just a part-time business until she graduates from high school.

In the future, Putumiraqtuq is interested in pursuing a career in the STEM field.

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From Baker Lake, Samantha Putumiraqtuq says she is inspired by women like Paula Piryuaq. Photo courtesy of Samantha Putumiraqtuq
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Samantha Putumiraqtuq, a senior in high school in Baker Lake, does beadwork in her spare time. Photo courtesy of Samantha Putumiraqtuq