NWT Arts

I’m a mixed media artist, creating anything from beadwork to fish scale art. My objective is to use what I have available in my workspace to create something beautiful, whether it be ornaments, necklaces, earrings, or otherwise. I like to be resourceful!

I reuse and recycle as much as I can. I believe that imperfect objects have value and can still be useful. My mother gave me everything. Most of the materials that I use come from my relatives. I also clean a lot of items instead of throwing them out. 

I use antlers, fish scales, sinew, moose or caribou hides, and all sorts of other materials. Once I’ve used up the material I have on hand, I just work with something else.

I get very inspired when people give me ideas. If someone wants something with specific patterns or colours, I will make something aligned with their vision. All I need is the idea to get started! Inspiration also comes from the materials I have to work with; I always ask myself “What else can this become?”

I’ve been sewing since I was really little. I have pictures of my mom and I sewing side-by-side from before kindergarten. My creativity feels like it is a gift passed on to me through my Ancestors. If I have a vision for a project and it doesn’t work out as I planned, I know what to tweak to make it work. I’ve always had a knack for it!

I am constantly sewing and creating. Art lives within me, it lives in my hands, it’s what I breathe. It connects me to my culture in the deepest way. Dene People have a quiet strength, and that strength is there every time I sew in solitude wand when I sew in public. 

When people ask me how I do all this, I say that anybody can do it! I carry enough supplies with me to share with others if they want to try. Art is my way of connecting with the world.