Inuit

BORN:
October 30, 1955

BIRTHPLACE:
Sanikiluaq, Nunavut

Johnny Appaqaq was born on the East side of the Belcher Islands, approximately 60 km from Sanikiluaq, where he grew up. He has been carving since age eight or nine. After first learning from his father, Allie Appaqaq, he then taught himself. His brother, Moses Appaqaq Jr., is also a carver. Johnny completed trades training in Churchill, Ottawa, and Winnipeg. Afterwards, he travelled between the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and British Columbia for construction work. In 1975, he returned to Sanikiluaq, where he is the local community liaison officer for the Qikiqtani Inuit Association. His work focuses on walrus carvings made of soapstone, which he harvests from nearby Tukarak Island.