The prospect of new sewing rooms meets with support

A majority of the municipal council in the Municipality of Qeqertalik has just adopted a proposal from member of the municipal council Inger Jeremiassen, Democrat, to initiate studies for the establishment of sewing rooms and seal skin processing facilities in certain settlements with a view to commercial development in the municipality.

- It is a positive initiative, believes Great Greenland and Kalaallisuuliornermik llinniarfik in Sisimiut.

Interesting project

Aviaja Holm Jensen, director of Great Greenland, says that if there are inquiries from the Municipality of Qeqertalik about cooperation around these projects, the possibilities will be explored.

- There are several factors that need to be investigated first if we are to participate, but this is very interesting, she said.

Great Greenland's sealskin workshop in Qaqortoq, which employs four employees and one apprentice, produces many different types of sealskin products that are sought after both here and in Denmark.

According to the director, the sewing room is doing well and there is plenty of work for the seamstresses.

Need for sewing rooms

Great Greenland has noticed that the number of people who can produce sealskin clothing is decreasing in Greenland.

- It is important that there are sewing rooms not only in Qaqortoq, but also in other places along the coast, as this work is not only a job, but also has significance for preserving the fur production culture.

- It is therefore appropriate to open more sewing shops that produce sealskin, and I believe that there are good future prospects for these, says Aviaja Holm Jensen.

Great Greenland currently has around 30 seal skin processing plants on the coast, and when new ones are to be opened, they collaborate with the municipalities, among other things.

- We need more receiving stations if we are to have as many sealskins as possible, and we are ready to talk to the municipality to realize this goal, emphasizes Aviaja Holm Jensen.

She points out that there are many inquiries about national costumes, but that the tannery in Qaqortoq does not produce these.

Support

According to Pilunnguaq Kleist Aronsen, head of Kalaallisuuliornermik Ilinniarfik in Sisimiut, the number of people who can produce sealskin clothing has decreased as the number of sewing shops has decreased.

- A school was established to preserve the leather craft, and now interest is clearly increasing.

- Jobs will be created for graduates from Sisimiut's sewing school and others if more sewing shops are established on the coast.

- Therefore, we support the initiative to open more sewing shops and seal skin purchasing points in the Municipality of Qeqertalik, she says.

Pilunnguaq Kleist Aronsen emphasizes that if the Municipality of Qeqertalik approaches with a desire for cooperation, the possibilities will be investigated.

Inger Jeremiassen is pleased with the interest from Great Greenland and Kalaallisuuliornermik Ilinniarfik and she adds that it is appropriate to approach them with a view to establishing a collaboration in the near future.