Artist’s Legal Name: Elisapee Burningham
Also known as: Sally
Artist lives in: Ottawa, ON
Community artist is from: Pangnirtung, NU
Categories of art practiced: Amauti Making; Parka Making; Mitts Making; Kamik Making; Slipper Making; Snowpants; Crochet Baby Hats
Preferred materials & subjects: Amauti Making; Parka Making; Snowpants;
Year of Birth: 1940
Profession or Work: Sewing Instructor for Isaruit
Artist’s background: Elisapee grew up on the land in the Pangnirtung area but when she was about 10 she had to move to Iqaluit. She started sewing with her familywhen she was very young, but her education was interrupted when as a child she was sent to the Sanitorium in Montreal. After her mother died in Montreal, Elisapee mostly taught herself on how to sew her own clothes, both skin clothing and fabric designs by watching her aunts and other women in her community as they were sewing. Elisapee has worked professionally in Iqaluit in the parka shop, and in Ontario factories as a sewer of shoes and underwear. These experiences gave Elisapee excellent experience with a wide variety of materials and machines that continue to help her both design and construct her own creations, and instruct others to do the same. She is now a sewing instructor for Isaruit and keeps everyone sewing well and lively with her ‘artistic’ sense of humor! Elisapee presently lives in Ottawa with her husband and makes Parkas and Amauti’s of all sizes and designs upon request.
Artist’s Involvement with traditional Inuit culture: Inuktitut language; Sewing; Teaching culture and sewing skills to others