NWT Arts

I create ribbon skirts and shirts, Growing up in Yellowknife, these items of clothing were not common, so being able to create them today connects me deeply to my Ojibwe culture.

I love working with a colourful array of fabrics and ribbons. I also create beaded earrings, incorporating Northwest Territories caribou antlers, Dentalium shells, and traditional moose hide into my designs.

As an artist, I am mostly self-taught. I made my first ribbon skirt while participating in a workshop at the Tree of Peace in Yellowknife. The very next week, I was buying all the materials I needed to make more! I continued learning by connecting with other artists and watching videos online, especially when I began learning beadwork. I am patient and a fast learner, i enjoy taking the time to learn new techniques so that my projects turn out the way I envision them and I can expand my creations.

My inspiration often comes from the world around me. Sometimes I’ll see a colour combination online that sparks an idea for my own project. Other times, I’ll be outside and notice beautiful colours in nature, such as fireweed in the summer, and bring those colours into my designs.

When I’m making clothing, I start by laying all my materials out in front of me. I’ll choose colours and arrange ribbons for hours at a time, placing them in different orders and taking pictures along the way. I’ll scroll through all the photos until I find the combination I like best. Then, I get to work.

My process for earrings is similar. I don’t usually sketch my ideas; instead, I look through my beads and create colour combinations right in front of me. I often go with the flow while I’m beading, making changes along the way when something feels right.

I’m so happy that I get to create beautiful pieces in my own way, developing patterns and designs that represent who I am. The longest part of my process is deciding how I want everything to look and fit together, but ultimately, it is also the most rewarding part of creating.

I enjoy sewing because it gives me a sense of peace and connection. When I’m creating a ribbon skirt, I feel like I’m learning about my culture through the work of my hands. I am constantly learning through the process, and I’m grateful to have found an art form that allows me to create something meaningful that I can also wear and share.

Creating these pieces helps me feel grounded in my culture, even as I continue learning about my roots. Each piece I make brings me a little closer to my roots and helps strengthen my connection to where I come from. I hope that by making ribbon skirts and other traditional clothing more accessible in the North, I can help others feel connected to their culture, proud of who they are, and represented in the pieces I create.