Cecile Bonnetrouge-Deneyoua
Cecile Deneyoua is Dene artist living in Hay River, Northwest Territories. Originally born in Kakisa Lake, Northwest Territories, Cecile learned the traditional arts of moose hair tufting and beadwork at the young age of 12 by watching her mother. Cecile’s mother helped refine her intricate artwork skills through continued encouragement and teaching. Cecile proudly and fluently still speaks her traditional language of South Slavey, and has gained much confidence with her artwork over the past 40 years by sharing her talents with her sisters who are also moose hair tufters. Cecile realizes the importance of teaching traditional artwork to her children and grandchildren, so they may pass it onto future generations. Cecile holds Addictions and Social Work diplomas and works in her community’s Addictions Treatment Centre, serving the people of the North in the best way she can.