In an effort to develop skills and creating business opportunities, Ilitaqsiniq partnered with the Nunavut Wellness Academy for a three-week relaxation massage and nail technician program in Rankin Inlet.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 something that hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 ever been offered before,SA国际影视传媒� said Amber Irwin, project coordinator with Ilitaqsiniq. SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 part of why we really wanted to bring this here and why we wanted to partner with the academy.SA国际影视传媒�

The program taught seven students the fundamentals in massage and nail technician work, providing graduates with a certificate and a networking opportunity with the academy to bolster their career path in the future.

ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 what Wendy Makpah-Tatty did when she took a similar program by Ilitaqsiniq in Iqaluit, as she then went on to take the full registered massage therapist training with the Nunavut Wellness Academy and now works for the academy. Ilitaqsiniq brought her back as an instructor in the Rankin Inlet course.

SA国际影视传媒淭he community just loves her,SA国际影视传媒� said Patience Sibanda, co-founder of the academy in Iqaluit, about Makpah-Tatty. SA国际影视传媒淪he gives some of the best massages.SA国际影视传媒�

Sibanda and her husband were busy teaching participants for their three weeks in the Kivalliq capital. When she originally moved to Iqaluit to open a spa, Sibanda said she had a desire to train and hire people from within Nunavut rather than having to look south for staff. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 where the connection with Ilitaqsiniq came in.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 our dream and our vision as an academy to be able to go and offer this training throughout Nunavut,SA国际影视传媒� said Sibanda, adding that there is a lot of talent in Rankin Inlet.

As of the end of the program, participants are now able to offer relaxation massages and nail services. They can achieve higher certification by joining the advanced training offered by the Nunavut Wellness Academy.

Adigii Nukapiak, one of the participants, said she was learning new things every day and enjoying the program.

SA国际影视传媒淚 like to learn new things and itSA国际影视传媒檚 good for the community because itSA国际影视传媒檚 something we donSA国际影视传媒檛 actually have for people to get in our hometown,SA国际影视传媒� she said, adding that it was her dream to open a nail salon with hairdressing and a spa one day.

She was glad she took the leap to join the course.

SA国际影视传媒淚 just want to tell everybody, if you want to do something, try it,SA国际影视传媒� said Nukapiak. SA国际影视传媒淚t doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 matter if you donSA国际影视传媒檛 know. Just keep trying and maybe youSA国际影视传媒檒l get interested in it. Like myself, I didnSA国际影视传媒檛 know I could have patience for nails, but I really enjoy it and itSA国际影视传媒檚 something really new to me.SA国际影视传媒�