AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 30, 2026
New Opportunities for Inuit Aspiring Stylists
This week, a unique month-long hairstyling course in Iqaluit concluded, marking an important milestone for Inuit interested in the beauty industry Nunavut has yet to fully develop. The course, run for the first time by Jennifer Lindell at her shop Jenn87 Hairstyling, provided seven Inuit students the chance to learn foundational hairstyling skills, from cutting and curling to salon safety.
Meeting the Demand: Why Hairstyling Matters in Nunavut
Demand for hairstyling services is high in Nunavut, a region with no established hair salons and few Inuit stylists. Instructor Jennifer Lindell emphasized the importance of offering local training in a field where residents would otherwise have to leave the territory for education. "We have very low number of stylists," Lindell stated, stressing the community’s need to build capacity and enable more Inuit hairstylists to serve local needs. Lindell underscored that this course filled a gap not currently addressed by colleges or other organizations in the region.
Inside the Iqaluit Hairstyling Course
The course, funded by the Kakivak Association which also provided supplies, attracted significant attention. More than 40 applicants from all across Nunavut vied for seven spots in the program. The training covered essential topics of hairstyling skills, including haircutting, styling for men and women, and maintaining salon safety.
Student Experiences and Aspirations
Among the seven selected, Crystal Ningeongan embraced the opportunity to develop her skills in hairstyling for the first time. "I would like to learn how to cut hair and properly maintain it and give everyone a service that’s high in demand," she shared. Ningeongan expressed her excitement to continue hairstyling beyond the course, hoping to become well-known for her work.
Another student, Jesse Apak, joined the course to save on haircuts for her three boys and to learn a practical new skill. Apak enjoyed the camaraderie with fellow students and found handling scissors and a comb together to be the toughest skill to master. She looks forward to more practice, especially with actual clients rather than mannequins, despite her sons' reluctance to serve as her hair models.
Looking Forward: Expanding Hairstyling Training in Nunavut
Lindell hopes the success of this pilot will allow her to continue offering hairstyling training in Iqaluit and possibly expand to other communities across Nunavut. She highlighted the importance of making these skills accessible not just in salons, but also in locations such as elders' centres, correctional facilities, healing centres, and group homes. "It is an important service to have in Nunavut. We have a lot of students that are going to take this learning back into their work," Lindell said, envisioning broader access to essential grooming services within the region.
Support and Community Impact
The support from Kakivak Association played a vital role in bringing the nunavut hairstyling course to life, with both funding and supplies. The initiative has started to foster a new generation of iqaluit hairstylists and is helping to pave the way for more Inuit stylists in Nunavut, addressing a clear community need.
Source: cbc.ca.
