When Makivvik announced its first silapaaq design contest earlier this year, Jennifer May saw the notice on Facebook and decided to give it a try. She had been sewing since her early teens and saw the contest as a chance to combine traditional sewing with her own artistic style. “I love designing and sewing,” she said. “That’s why I decided to enter.”

The contest marked an important milestone. Since Nunavik men have had the Ivakkak dog sled race since the early 2000s, Makivvik felt it was time to create something that would also celebrate women’s sewing skills and creativity. The idea was first discussed by Makivvik’s board in December 2025 before being approved for launch.

The contest opened in February 2026. Announcements were made through regional radio, social media and local Makivvik board members. To enter, participants had to be beneficiaries of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, at least 18 years old, and submit both a women’s and a men’s silapaaq. Makivvik covered shipping costs so seamstresses could send their work to Salluit.

According to Makivvik’s Kitty Gordon, 96 entries were received. Eight were disqualified because they did not meet the contest requirements, leaving 88 sets to be judged. During Makivvik’s Annual General Meeting in Salluit, delegates first selected a top 20 before voting again to choose the nine winners. The top three designs became the property of Makivvik, while non-winning contestants had the opportunity to sell their work during the AGM or have it shipped back home.

For May, creating her entries took careful planning. She wanted her designs to respect Inuit sewing traditions while also reflecting her own ideas. “It took me a while to decide on a design because I wanted to mix the traditional way of sewing with my own artwork,” she said.

She added original artwork to each silapaaq using a heat press while keeping Makivvik’s traditional colours. She also spent extra time on the men’s design. “I wanted to make sure to spend more time on the men’s silapaaq because I think it’s harder to design men’s wear than it is for women’s wear,” she said. May never expected to win.

“When I heard that I won, I was in disbelief and started crying,” she recalled. “I was already proud of myself when I found out I was in the top 20, so you can imagine my surprise.”

Winning the contest has already opened another door. After the competition, May created another custom silapaaq that was gifted to and worn by Prime Minister Mark Carney during his recent visit to Kuujjuaq, giving her work even wider recognition.

The top nine entrants were voted as follows:

Jennifer May ($15,000)
Emily Sallualuk ($10,000)
Christina Agma ($5,000)
Ruby Menarick ($1,000)
Ulayu Pinguatuq ($1,000)
Winifred Nungak ($1,000)
Linda Ohaituk ($1,000)
Dallacy Suppa ($1,000)
Nikita Etok ($1,000)

i-Pad Winner: Kitty Maggie Arnatuk Air Inuit ticket Winner: Eileen Emudluk