NWT Arts

I was born in Inuvik but moved to Fort Simpson when I was 12 years old. My sewing is mainly Dehcho style but I inherently incorporate Gwich’in influence that manifest from my visions. Most of the time I know what a piece will become before I even know I will make it. When I start I don’t really have a sketch, it just comes to me. It is my need to make something that is beautiful. I see a design I like and can’t wait to create it. Anything I see I can create.

My mom and many of the elders taught me to sew. With my Gwich’in influence I made a lot of slippers where they weave the beads for the sidings. The first thing I created was my name beaded on a loom when I was probably 8 or 9 years old. I still have it. I really started sewing when my children were born and I wanted to make them clothing. I had to make many of the designs and patterns myself, right from scratch. Personally, I like to use shiny vibrant colours and glossy beads, which make designs bright and beautiful.

I recently started painting, which I never knew I could do. I also really love willow art. It took a while to accept and acknowledge myself as an artist and now everything I do brings peace to me.