It was David Kakuktinniq Jr.’s second time offering wildlife and landscape photography at the annual Christmas craft fair in Rankin Inlet, and he was selling out fast after doors opened Saturday, Dec. 9.
“It’s great,” said Kakuktinniq Jr., adding he was glad to see everyone and their wares. “With the increase in size in the new arena (community hall), there are so many more participants and a lot of talented arts and crafts people in Rankin.”
Mark Ronald was offering homemade flies for fishing.
“Using flies is the most realistic presentation to offer fish, next to live bait, in my view,” said Ronald. “The flies are beautiful and deadly. Rankinmiut love fishing and each year more people are picking up a fly rod. It’s pretty cool and a lot of fun.”
Glenn Woodford was helping Father Radoslaw Zawada sell religious-themed Christmas items for the Roman Catholic Church.
Working in retail, Woodford said Christmas is the busiest time of the year, but he wished there was more focus on the spirituality of the occasion.
“All too often, the real, true spirit of Christmas is forgotten, and that’s the birth of Jesus Christ,” said Woodford. “You don’t hear about that when you go out shopping in a retail store.”
Zawada said the trappings of Christmas, such as trees and gifts, are important, so long as the main spiritual point isn’t missed.
Woodford added that the teaching of the true meaning of Christmas seems absent from schools now.
“You hear more references to it as being happy holidays rather than merry Christmas,” he said. “Me, I’m going to say merry Christmas.”
Sally Cormier-Ittinuar, organizer of the event, posted that the fair raised $740 for the Ikurraq Food Bank.
