NWT Arts

The type of artwork that I make can range from beading to embroidery to loom creations. With these techniques, I can make various pieces, including earrings, bracelets, rings, wallets, grad stoles and woven picture frames. I use beads and thread and will typically work on stroud, Pellon or, preferably, traditional hide.

I use a lot of different materials for my artwork, but I try to include a little flower in each design. These flowers represent where I come from, because I grew up seeing many talented artist sewing flower patterns. It’s important for me to keep that tradition alive in my work. I use various types of flowers, some big and some very tiny: I even include them in my rings!
 

My mom,  Bertha Francis, taught me how to sew.  She was a well known Gwichʼin artist. From a very young age, I would always watch what she was doing. I didn’t start sewing until I was in my teenage years, learning in school and with my mom, mostly. She taught me how to embroider and has always inspired me.

My mom created so many things throughout her life, but I don’t think she ever created the same design twice! I try my hardest to personalize my work so it is one-of-a-kind, like her pieces. When I make grad stoles, I love to personalize them to reflect the taste of the person I am making them for, including asking them to pick the colours. When I make earrings and rings, I use my own creativity to guide me through the process.

Because I’m a teacher, I bead and sew at home to relax and refocus every night. It’s a meditation to me. I love seeing the finished product, because I often start projects without having a clear vision of how it will turn out. It’s always a nice surprise at the end, to see how things come together. It makes me feel accomplished.

Making art makes me feel proud. I get to create all these things because of my Gwichʼin culture. I take a lot of pride in the fact that I can showcase Gwichʼin traditions, while using the skills my mom has taught me, so that I can teach my daughters. I love that I can share my skills with younger people so that they can come up with their own creative ideas!

My mother passed away, so it’s even more important for me to be able to carry the tradition of Gwichʼin artistry. My mom was one of the few who could do embroidery with yarn, and even though I can’t do everything that she did, I am able to use my skills with beadwork and embroidery to find me own way of passing on the Gwichʼin culture