Appliance repair specialist Stéphane Emond visited Kuujjuaq last January to lead a hands-on appliance repair workshop and support community members with household repairs with the aim of supporting individuals with the repairs of expensive small appliances but also to provide basic training for Inuit to see the opportunity which could result in the start-up of a small appli-ance repair business. The workshop, sponsored by Makivvik’s Economic Development Department, brought together four participants: Sammy Tukkiapik, Jiika Kauki, Simeonie Suppa Jr., and Annette Kauki.
Participants learned by working directly on real appliances, gaining practical experience in diagnosing problems, repairing common household machines, and finding usable parts. Together, they assessed two washing machines, two refrigerators, a stackable washer/dryer, two stoves, and one dryer. The specialist successfully repaired both washing machines, the dryer, the stackable washer/dryer, and two water dispensers. A hospital refrigerator was assessed but could not be repaired because of a gas leak.
Community members were also invited through local radio to bring forward appliances needing repairs as well as the option of doing house call for individuals, with several house calls being completed during the week, including repairs to washing machines and a stackable washer/dryer with the dryer being repaired. Participants also visited the local “Canadian Tire,” the municipal dump, to salvage useful parts, strengthening their troubleshooting and repair skills. The workshop showed the value of building local capacity in appliance repair while helping community members extend the life of their household appliances.
For future workshops, it was suggested that organizers plan ahead by collecting and storing appliances in advance, or hold sessions during warmer weather, to make salvaging easier and avoid delays caused by frozen machines that must thaw before repairs can begin.
Overall, the workshop was a meaningful opportunity for knowledge sharing, hands-on training, and community service. It helped strengthen local repair skills in Kuujjuaq and showed the potential for continued appliance repair support in the community.
The Economic Development Department is currently planning visits to four additional communities this coming year including Inukjuak, Puvirnituq, Salluit and Kangiqsujuaq. Department staff will be reaching out to local leadership to seek interested candidates as well as the planning of the workshop.
