NWT Arts

I originally started crochet and my mother had invited me to visit and work on our crafts together. I brought my crochet blanket I was working on. When I arrived, she had a set of vamps on the table with a floral design she drew, all the beads and supplies that would be needed for them and then, she suggested i out my crochet down and said… “its time for you to learn to bead now”. I never thought id have the patience to bead but, I listened to my mom that day and sat and learned. 

Once I started those uppers, I couldn’t stop. I beaded not only the floral pattern she drew but also filled in the complete vamps. I was done within 2 and a half days, a set of fully beaded moccasin vamps.

That began and my love of beadwork. I then wanted to explore other types of beadwork, I played with materials and taught myself bead appliqué as well as fringed earrings, bead wrap, peyote stitch and learned other styles of beading on my own through much trial and error.

I also took on a liking for the turquoise and traditional indigenous fire colours.  I’ve taught beading workshops in person as well as through Zoom. I have created bead kits and have sent them off to large organizations, i have also been commissioned many times to create large amounts of kits, pins, earrings, and other items.

I am also a mental health, wellness, trauma, addictions, and healing facilitator and have created and started my own business “Yakotini Wellness”. I have travelled widely to share my knowledge and teachings with various communities, organizations and nations.  The word Yalotini in my business name is a Denesuline word with the meaning “of the sky/skypeople”. I am trained directly by Dr. Gabor Maté.