NWT Arts

As a traditional Inuvialuit carver, I used to make very large stone artwork. The demand for such big carvings was diminishing, and one day my daughter asked me if I ever thought of making jewelry. She told me that people might enjoy my Inuvialuit designs as wearable art. Around 2018, I decided to try it out, and at first, what I made was very crude! But, with time and practice, I was able to be successful in making more refined pieces.

I now predominately make jewelry inspired by various Inuvialuit symbols, including antlers, ulus and harpoons. I make earrings, pendants and gem rings, working primarily with natural materials like bones, antlers, horns or ivory. I try to use traditional local materials as much as possible. I get caribou and moose antlers from family members and I’ll source muskox horns from Sachs Harbour. I will sometimes purchase specific materials online if I can’t find it locally.

I’ve been carving ever since I was very young, while growing up in Aklavik. Back then I’d carve with wood because we didn’t have much access to other materials. When I moved South in 1991, it was the first time I started carving in stone. I bought cutting tools and I started carving any day I wasn’t working. I ended up making many big stone carvings before making jewelry.

What I like the most about being creative is trying things out and making new designs. I draw out what I want to make and then I make a sample piece. I enjoy cutting all the intricate patterns out of the materials that I choose. I’m lazy by nature, so when it comes to sanding, I will use just about every small hand tools that can help me in that part of the process!

I’ve drawn, sketched and carved all my life, so I think that is just the way that I think and see things now. In all aspects of life, I am always thinking about how I can apply what I see into my art. I am inspired by all carvings from different cultures around the world, I love to see what others create. I especially love the wonderful designs created by the Māori people in New Zealand.

Carving has always connected me to my own culture. Growing up in the bush in Aklavik with a very traditional family made me who I am now. To me, it is second nature to carve stone and make jewelry related to Inuvialuit culture. I am proud to say that I grew up how I did, and I am trying to express that in the best way possible!