Angela Dalby is working on making her first pair of moccasins – but she’s scared to cut into the moose hide.
And so for now, she’s working on the beaded upper section, a traditional pink flower that also scored her the title of the Land and Waters Boards of the Mackenzie Valley artist of the month for October.
“This design is a flat stitched two-needle beaded flower on stroud that will eventually be sewn into a pair of moccasins,” she explained.
“As this will be my first time sewing moccasins, I wanted to start with a basic flower without a fully beaded background so I can make any necessary adjustments in regard to the size. I chose the colour combo because the colours go well with each other and it’s nothing too complicated.”
Dalby also has some other projects on the go, including a pair of fur mittens, and so she’s put the moccasins to the side until she’s ready to break out the moose hide.
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A member of the Gwich’in Nation, Dalby grew up in Inuvik and has been living in Fort Smith for the past 14 years.
She was taught to bead by her mother.
“She showed me how to do different types of beading. A little while ago she showed me some of the things I beaded as a kid and I can’t remember how to do some of it,” she said.
Her language teacher in elementary school, the late Bella Kay, also taught her beading and Gwich’in at the same time.
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“I enjoyed beading right from the start as it came naturally to me. I come from a very creative and artistic family,” Dalby said.
“I usually find it calming and relaxing although sometimes it can be frustrating when a project doesn’t turn out the way I had planned or I’ve made a mistake and need to undo all my work.”
Even then, she says, she loves the learning process. Every piece she makes is unique, and she always has new ideas she wants to try.
“Seeing people wear my work brings a sense of pride and accomplishment. It makes me happy to see others enjoying my creations,” she said.
“Beading has been passed down through generations and I love being a part of it.”
Like many other artists featured over the past year, Dalby said beading is a way to connect to her culture and reflect on her life.
The Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley ran a year-long Indigenous flower beading series that celebrated and promoted northern Indigenous beadwork.
All artists who submitted work received $25 for each month they proposed a theme and idea for a beaded flower. The artist whose theme and flower were selected for each month received an additional $250.
For more information, contact the boards through the new Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley Facebook page, or call Christan at 867-765-4592.
