In collaboration with YK ARCC, we hosted a panel and community conversation on November 16, 2024 on the question What is NWT Art? It was called “Everything We Make is Beautiful” after the Tłı̨chǫ Yatıì phrase for 'art' translated by Mary Adele Rabesca, Mary Rose Blackduck, Diane Romie, and Rita Wetrade for a different purpose.

Diane Romie began with an opening prayer and then talked about Tłı̨chǫ words for art and shared about her own artwork. Diane works with hide, stroud, beads, and embroidery. She shared that she innovated a way of sharing drawings for uppers with stencils made from coffee can lids. Following Diane, the other panelists were invited to introduce themselves and talk about their work.

Following that, panelists were asked to talk about what NWT art is. Laura Hodgins started by sharing the main findings of her thesis, which identified key NWT aesthetics of moosehair tufting, delta braid, the five-petal rose, hide tanning, porcupine quill work, and ramshackle landscapes (Laura’s thesis is available here). Pat Kane talked about the kind of documentary photography he does. Sarah Swan created a graph of NWT artists on a scale between ideal and anti-ideal versions of the north.  Melaw Nakehk’o shared about her work as an artist and hide tanner. She said that for Dene peoples a hide is the most beautiful work of art.  Don Uson talked about his journey to becoming an artist in the NWT.

Alison McCreesh made the graphic recording below to capture the conversation.

Sam and Ingrid made a kid’s graphic recording too!