NWT Arts

I am a carver of moose antler and moose bone. I make anything from this natural material: wolves, swans, roses, people, eagles… I draw on the material and then I carve it out. I even use birch trees if I were making something like a peace pipe.

When I was about 14 years old, my dad and cousin taught me how to carve. I used to watch my dad carve – I remember once he made a necklace and when I saw it, I wanted to help. When I was learning, I would watch how to do it and then I would try. I also watched others draw in my family so I also learned how to draw. Sometimes I look at a picture and try to figure out how I am going to do it. I like to carve all animals but need to consider what will suit the material.

When it is quiet I like to sit in front of my fireplace and carve. I like to have a big fire and just sit there and carve. I like the quiet and being by myself. I can’t concentrate if people are sitting around trying to talk to me. I have developed my own unique style over the years I think.