STEPHANIE TENASCO
I am an Algonquin artist from Kitigan Zibi, Quebec. Having grown up in my community, I had the opportunity to learn and now pass down my knowledge of traditional art. Mi iyo nī mino-pimadjiwowin – “this is my good path, this is my culture”
I am very thankful; I had the opportunity to learn moccasin making and beading techniques as a child growing up in my community of Kitigan Zibi. Gaining this knowledge from my community elders has led me to bigger opportunities. Most of the people who taught me are no longer with us, so I feel a great passing on of what I have learned.
The focus of my artistic practice is passing down the Indigenous knowledge of beadwork and leatherwork to the next generation. You can view Stephanie’s work here.
WYATT MILLER
My name is Wyatt Miller. I’m 19 years old and currently live in Saskatoon. I was raised in La Ronge Saskatchewan where I attended Churchill Community Highschool. In grade 9 I took a home economics class, where I learned how to sew, work with sewing machines, and create shorts from scratch, bags and much more! Around the same time, I joined the varsity football team, and eventually got the quarterback position. Following graduation, I started seeing people making clothing on TikTok and thought to myself, “why not give it a go”? So to start I took a pair of bootcut jeans and hand sewed them into skinny jeans! After that, I got a sewing machine for Christmas and started with my own clothing and tailored them to fit me. Eventually, I created my own apparel line and came up with the name Sparked Apparel because it described the spark people got in their eyes when they received their clothing!
Learn more about Wyatt and check out his DIY Patchwork Joggers video here.
SAMANTHA HARVEY
Samantha Harvey is a lifelong scientist and retired high school teacher with roots in the Stó:lō First Nation and connections to Scia’new Nation (Beecher Bay). Her enthusiasm for passing on traditional skills is quite simply irresistible! In 2023 Sam (along with her business partner Emma) purchased the fabric shop Button N Bows Haberdashery, in Victoria, BC. Sam has studied cedar weaving and basket making, beading, and traditional spinning and weaving. She has been exploring native plant & lichen dyes and dabbles with occasional hide work.
Sam recently donated sewing supplies to the Sewcase program and is a big supporter of our program. Stay tuned for posts featuring Sam’s DIY tutorials!
MARCY WHITEFISH
“Niya oma Marcy Whitefish, Ahtahkakoop ohci niya. I am Marcy Whitefish and I am from Ahtahkakoop First Nation.
“I have been working with the Sewcase program for two years and I love bringing our youth, elders and parents together. The students really love sewing and are always curious to know when the next session will be. Our sewing lab is dedicated to our late Elder Fred Sasakamoose which brought us together with Soaring Circle. Our community is growing and our program currently serves 35 participants!”
Marcy teaches sewing and land based learning program at Chief Ahtahkakoop Schoo and also designs regalia for her family and community.
MELANIE BEDARD & TRISHA PITURA
Co-founded in 2016 by Trisha Pitura, from Nipissing First Nation, and Melanie Bernard, from Quebec City of settler descent, MINI TIPI is shaped by their professional and personal experiences. Finding the void of authentically designed Indigenous textiles back when starting their business has led them to create what we know MINI TIPI as today; an industry leading lifestyle brand that collaborates with Indigenous artists to design textiles to create high-quality products locally. The relationship between the two co-founders, as well as the work their business accomplishes, exemplifies what a future of reconciliation can look like.
MINI TIPI manufactures its products locally in Gatineau, Canada. This brand is changing the game by providing people with the opportunity to buy while appreciating culture with confidence. Through their artist royalty program and giveback initiatives, MINI TIPI has become leaders in artistic collaborations, community involvement, and local manufacturing.
YOLONDA SKELTON
Yolonda (Loni) Skelton is a Fashion and Textile Artist from the Gitxsan Nation and the House of Hax-be-gwoo-txw of the Fireweed Clan. Her traditional name is (Sug-ii-t Looks) and it is the name of her company which means “When the Whales Crest.” Her fashion designs are inspired and created from traditional oral stories told to her by her late maternal grandmother Lily Jackson (Na-gwa).
Yolonda was one of the first artists to offer her support for the Sewcase by joining our platform as an artist and educator. You can see Yolonda’s work here.
LYDIA LAROSE
Lydia is a graduate of UQO in Visual Arts and Graphic Design, and she is a proud member of the Algonquin Nation. She has been painting for over 25 years, focusing on the emergence of the image through movement in abstract painting. In 2016, she started a business called “Peinture et Cocktail” where she hosts and teaches painting classes for all ages in the National Capital Region. Her business is mobile, and she offers private painting workshops for all types of events. Lydia is also a multidisciplinary artist who loves to create native arts and crafts.
Lydia is also Soaring Circle’s graphic designer! For more information, visit her Facebook page Creation Lydz.
SAM MOORE
Sandra Moore (Sam) is the proud owner of Creator’s Gifts located in Hiawatha First Nation (Ontario). Sam has kindly offered her support for the Sewcase, by joining our platform as an artist and also supporting our monthly photo contests with prizes from her amazing fabric shop Creator’s Gifts!
Sam and her husband Barry work tirelessly to provide education for as many people as possible to ensure that traditional native art does not disappear. She believes it serves no purpose if she doesn’t pass on her knowledge of caribou hair tufting, birch bark/porcupine quill work, regalia and other sewing like ribbon skirts and shirts, moss bags and bundle bags. She is grounded in her culture and to date has taught hundreds of learners traditional native arts. Learn more about Sam here.
