Myrna Pokiak
Artist Story
Much of what inspires me as an artist is the cultural teachings I experienced at a young age as I traveled on the land and sea with my family. Knowledge, skills and traditions were passed down to me as it was generations before. The gifts I was given through history, northern cultures, the environment and its resources, are what drives my artistic path and brings to life the symbolisms that have sustained northern people from well before confederation to today. My daughters come from a long line of families in the North: Inuvialuit on my side, and Dene and Métis on their father’s side.
My artwork is a mixture between traditional Inuvialuit and contemporary art. I use a variety of art styles including writing, photography, painting and traditional design. The use of beadwork on traditional materials such as fur and hide allow me to express my culture through art. My patience, dedication and vision guide my artistic path. I have also incorporated my own videos and photographs into a variety of my pieces, strengthening the story and meaning behind my artwork.
The deep roots I have to the North stem back to iconic landmarks and trails I’ve traveled, places I’ve visited, and ceremonies I’ve witnessed. Knowing the Dene, Metis, Inuvialuit, and non-Indigenous today drink from the same water, fish from the same River, and travel on the same flow of the Great Mackenzie River of the Northwest Territories, connect me to my forefathers. My ancestors and my girls are my inspiration.
Profile Photo - Parka Credits to the late Artist Elizabeth Pertchy.
Myrna Pokiak is an Inuvialuk from Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, born in the spring of 1979 to James and Maureen Pokiak. Myrna and her husband Eddie Paul, have three daughters, Mya, Launa, and Kara and currently reside in Yellowknife. Myrna has completed Bachelor Degree’s in Anthropology and Bachelor of Education. Myrna is also enrolled in the Toby Robbins Master Program. As an artist and business owner, she has worked with a variety of organizations from Museums, Universities, Land Claim Organizations, and Private Industry.
2024 Myrna is the artist representing the Arctic Coast for a Royal Canadian Mint Coast to Coast to Coast series on a $20 silver coin inspired by the Arctic Landscape, Animals, and Cultural Activities.
2023 Myrna designed the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Monument and Managed the Manufacturing with a team at Nextreme for the Manufacturing of the monument, using age old family patterns for the parka and manufacturing techniques to bring forward a design that honors those gone to soon and those we are still searching for.
2023, Myrna's art was slected to represent a third of a Toonie alongside 2 other artists - Megan Currie (English River First Nations) and Jennine Krauchi (Red River Metis). There are 3 coins that honour the art and Indigenous People, including a circulation color toonie (Mintage 50000), a Traditional Gold and Silver toonie (Mintage 20000 rolls), and a 1 oz. Pure Silver Coin (Mintage 6500).
In 2020, Myrna had her first Royal Canadian Minted Coin Launch to commemorate 150 Years of the Northwest Territories, honoring the Inuvialuit & Inuit, Dene, and Metis people. This was a $30 Silver Commemoration Coin with limited to just 2500 worldwide.
She has had the honor to curate and provide photographs and videos for the most recent exhibit on the Inuvialuit Beluga Whale Harvest for the Canadian Museum of Nature (2019).
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Artist Gallery
