NWT Arts

I have found so much healing in my artwork. Beading allows me to spend time by myself and think about the best ways of living. It can bring back a lot of memories, but it also helps me leave all the bad things behind. What’s in the past stays in the past, and I can only do my best to continue moving forward and be my best person. Making art helps me focus on that goal. If I’m not beading, I like to bake pies or bannock. Those are some things that keep me active and moving forward every day.

Every weekend my husband and I go out on the land, which was very helpful in my recovery too.

I spent many years living with alcohol. In 1982, I moved to Hay River with the help of my sister. One day, I woke up and I decided to that was enough and I had to go for treatment. When I came back, I felt like I was reborn. To help with my healing, my auntie asked if I could bead some uppers (for moccasins) for her and I agreed. I had learned to bead when I was about 6 or 7 from my family, but hadn’t done it for a really long time! I started from there, a year after I got sober. She encouraged me and said I was really good. She started giving me pieces of moosehide and some beads to work with in exchange for the work I did for her. This is how I started making my own things.

At first, I made cardholders and then started making key chains. One day I had an idea of how to make a beaded moosehide jewellery box - I tried it and it worked! I didn’t know they would become so popular. Now, I love to make all types of items, from baskets to jewelry, wallets and jewelry boxes.

When I start working on something, I like to make multiple items at once. I do all my flowers at the same time, then I outline them, and then I will work on the leaves. I draw all my own patterns and I love to use all the colours. I usually get inspired by what I see when I’m walking in the summertime or while travelling in new places. I love to walk in nature and see the flowers and their colors. You should see my room: it’s full of colourful beads!