Lesson on Inuit beauty more than skin-deep for Inuk woman

Muckpaloo Ipeelie delivered a lesson on Inuit beauty and tradition to a Grade 9 Collingwood class final week
A Grade 9 cosmetology class at Collingwood Collegiate Institute had a visitor instructor final week for a lesson on Inuit beauty and tradition. 

Muckpaloo Ipeelie, an Inuk woman, resident of The Blue Mountains, and founder and CEO of the Urban Inuit Identity Project, visited the native class to share more in regards to the traditions she has discovered and lived with the Inuit of the Baffin area. 

But earlier than she opened the jars of lotions and lotions, she started with the massive image. 

“Inuit beauty is subjective, and it isn’t the aim for Inuit,” stated Ipeelie. “If there was a aim, it could be about being an entire human being.” 

She defined that there are numerous Indigenous methods, and acknowledging that individuals in other places of the world have other ways is vital for anybody – from authorities policymakers to advertising and marketing professionals working to advertise a brand new spa. 

Ipeelie refers to guiding Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit rules, additionally known as IQ. Specifically, they embody rules of resourcefulness, service, sharing, and respect and care for folks, the land, and animals. 

“The vital issue when talking about beauty merchandise is acknowledging how Inuit view valuable pure assets,” stated Ipeelie. “When you attempt to perceive Inuit tradition, it’s important to take a look at the tundra and in addition the climate … what makes us distinctive is how resourceful we’re.”  

For instance, whale or seal oil is used within the wintertime for heating, for heating, and for lighting the qulliq. Those are additionally frequent elements in Inuit skincare and beauty merchandise, however in winter when they’re scarce, they’re prioritized for sustaining life.

“You wouldn’t use that valuable useful resource to make your self look lovely,” stated Ipeelie. 

In the summer season, nonetheless, there could be more whale and seal oil out there to make use of for beauty and skincare. 

She stated a whale or a seal hunt is a neighborhood affair, and when a hunt is profitable, each a part of the animal is used nicely, from the pores and skin to the bones. Whatever items are inedible are fed to the sled canine. 

The picture of child seal clubbing, she stated, was by no means correct for Inuit, who harvest each seals and whales respectfully and with the intention of utilizing each half. 

Most of the elements utilized in Inuit beauty merchandise even have medicinal properties for therapeutic and safety towards the tough components of the tundra.  

Some of the bottom elements Ipeelie taught the category about included whale and seal oil which can be utilized for waterproofing clothes, pores and skin, and boots of hunters who may need to enter the water. 

In the summer season, puffball mushrooms may very well be rubbed on the pores and skin for moisturizing. 

One firm, Uasau Soap, featured in Ipeelie’s lesson, is made by Inuit and makes use of a mixture of conventional (seal and whale oil) and fashionable elements. 

“It’s vital to notice that Uasau, the corporate, doesn’t go and harvest the seal or whale so as to get that pure useful resource,” stated Ipeelie. “They will wait for the neighborhood to catch one thing after which take what’s left over. So it’s not unusual to go to their web site and never have the ability to get the product that you just’re trying for. You simply have to attend till the neighborhood is fortunate and then you definitely will be fortunate.” 

Ipeelie stated she needed the scholars to ask questions, and focus on their discomfort at experiencing a distinct tradition. 

She gave the category an task to work in teams and give you a advertising and marketing plan for a particular service at a spa utilizing one of many Inuit-made beauty or skincare merchandise she introduced together with her to the category. 

The college students had been inspired to make use of examples of Inuit artwork supplied by Ipeelie and ask questions in regards to the tradition and the land earlier than creating the advertising and marketing supplies and the particular service. 

“When you attempt to create artwork and advertising and marketing supplies for one other neighborhood, you do need to seek the advice of an individual from that tradition since you may be misrepresenting the tradition,” stated Ipeelie. 

A basic instance, stated Ipeelie, is face tattoos, that are worn by Inuit ladies. The tattoos are distinctive to the ladies who put on them, and they aren’t to be copied, even in artwork. She referred to a current instance of an animated musical movie that features an animated Sedna who is called the goddess or mom of the ocean and sea animals. The movie depicts a baby in a crown of seashells with tattoos on her face. But Inuit wouldn’t tattoo a baby, and a crown doesn’t make sense inside Inuit tradition, which values consensus over monarchy. 

Ipeelie stated she’s trying ahead to more alternatives to show Inuit tradition in school rooms. 

“It’s actually vital for college students to know that Indigenous cultures are numerous, as a result of it may be mistaken that all of us have the identical beliefs,” stated Ipeelie. “So I actually need to hold educating the youth as a result of they’re going to turn out to be decision-makers sooner or later.”

The Urban Inuit Identity Project was based to supply culturally related academic supplies for well being care staff and neighborhood builders who’re concerned within the circle of care of Inuit. 

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