NWT Arts

I am a Teetł'it Gwich’in artist. My sewing style combines traditional ways to modern looks. I typically sew slippers, vests, jackets, mitts, gauntlets, mukluks, purses, beaded earrings, and dresses. I use stroud and traditionally tanned hides, as well as beaver and rabbit fur, among other materials. I also make unique dresses made of granny hankies with my daughter.

I grew up splitting my time between Fort McPherson and Tsiigehtchic. I would go back and forth between both communities, switching schools as I went. I first learned to bead when I was about 10 years old in school in Tsiigehtchic, where my dad is originally from. In the class dedicated to Gwich'in culture, they taught us how to bead, and I’ve been beading ever since!

When I was a little girl, I remember sitting and watching my mom sew. I was only four years old when she passed and I still have those memories of her. After she passed, my dad put all her sewing stuff away, but he would bring it out from time to time so we could admire her work and it was passed on to my children. Everything she made was so beautiful and still looked brand new. 

When my mom was alive, she would sew for our whole family and made sure we were dressed well, with high quality materials, like wolverine fur. It was hard growing up without a mom, so now, when I sew, I always think of her. She continues to inspire me.

My mother-in-law is another person that inspires my work greatly. She also passed now, but she was an important figure in my life, who guided me and taught me a lot along the way. She had lost her mother at a young age too, so she understood what I was going through, and we connected very deeply. I’m happy that her knowledge lives on in my creations in some way, She is always on my mind when I'm creating my pieces.

Creating art gives me a sense of pride in knowing that I accomplished something and that I put a smile on someone else’s face. I love that my art makes people happy and it makes me happy in return! It also helps me to heal some of the hurts and pains that I still carry. I enjoy sewing because it brings me peace of mind by taking all the stress away, which allows me to create with love, good intentions and positive energy.