Alisa Blake’s beadwork is rooted in meaning and memory

For Gwich’in and Inuvialuit artist Alisa Blake, every piece of art she creates is intertwined with meaning and memory.

Blake is the Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley’s artist of the month this January, a title she also held during the board’s beading artist series in December 2024.

This year, the scope of the project has expanded to feature different types of traditional goods handmade by Indigenous artists in the NWT.

Blake, who is from Fort McPherson but has lived in Yellowknife for more than a decade, says her artistry “is deeply rooted in my culture, family, and lived experiences on the land.”

"These blue flower earrings capture the serene beauty of nature. Inspired by wildflowers, their delicate petals mirror the calm of dewy grass at dawn, while the vibrant blue echoes the peaceful hues of the sky. Crafted with intricate detail, they symbolize nature’s quiet strength—fragile yet resilient. Wearing them is like carrying a piece of the earth’s untamed beauty, a reminder to stay grounded yet free to bloom wherever life leads," says Blake. — “These blue flower earrings capture the serene beauty of nature,” says Blake of the earrings she called Whispers of the Wild: The Blue Blossom Earrings. “Inspired by wildflowers, their delicate petals mirror the calm of dewy grass at dawn, while the vibrant blue echoes the peaceful hues of the sky. Crafted with intricate detail, they symbolize nature’s quiet strength – fragile yet resilient. Wearing them is like carrying a piece of the earth’s untamed beauty, a reminder to stay grounded yet free to bloom wherever life leads,”

"These 'Rosehip on the Tundra' caribou-tufted earrings are inspired by the quiet beauty of rosehips growing wild across the land. The soft tufts reflect the natural warmth and movement of caribou, while the rosehip theme symbolizes resilience, nourishment, and renewal found in nature. The Charlotte cut beads add a subtle shimmer, like light catching on berries after rain, bringing life and balance to the piece," Blake describes. — “These Rosehip on the Tundra caribou-tufted earrings are inspired by the quiet beauty of rosehips growing wild across the land,” Blake said. “The soft tufts reflect the natural warmth and movement of caribou, while the rosehip theme symbolizes resilience, nourishment, and renewal found in nature. The Charlotte cut beads add a subtle shimmer, like light catching on berries after rain, bringing life and balance to the piece.”

She learned to bead from her grandmother, Agnes Blake, and mother, Ruby Blake-Heron.

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“They taught me how to bead, create, and use patterns, and shared their knowledge with patience and care. This learning has stayed with me because it keeps me rooted in my culture and, most importantly, keeps me connected to [them],” she told Cabin Radio.

She says creating art is enriching and inspiring.

“It is a process that feels meaningful and grounding, and one that brings me a lot of joy. It is a way for me to honour where I come from, the people who taught me, and the traditions that continue through each piece I create.

“The pieces featured were inspired by time I’ve spent on the land – whether boating and discovering hidden spots filled with beautiful colours and flowers, or observing the colours of the sky and the shadows during winter while training our racing sled dogs.”

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"Nature guided every part of this design. The softness of the pink tufted caribou hair was inspired by the gentle hues of northern skies at sunrise and the delicate textures found in moss, blossoms, and animal fur shaped by the land. The movement of the tufts reflects how grasses and wild plants sway in the wind, full of quiet life. The 24kt gold beads echo the way sunlight glimmers across snow, water, and stone, adding warmth and contrast. Together, these elements honor the natural world, transforming its colors, textures, and light into a wearable expression of balance, respect, and beauty," writes Blake. These earrings are called Blush of the North. — “Nature guided every part of this design,” writes Blake. These earrings are called Blush of the North. “The softness of the pink tufted caribou hair was inspired by the gentle hues of northern skies at sunrise and the delicate textures found in moss, blossoms, and animal fur shaped by the land. The movement of the tufts reflects how grasses and wild plants sway in the wind, full of quiet life. The 24kt gold beads echo the way sunlight glimmers across snow, water, and stone, adding warmth and contrast. Together, these elements honour the natural world, transforming its colors, textures, and light into a wearable expression of balance, respect, and beauty.”

"These caribou-tufted earrings are inspired by the quiet elegance of white petals found in nature—soft blossoms that thrive in open tundra and forest clearings. The white caribou tufts are shaped like petals, reflecting purity, balance, and the gentle movement of flowers stirred by the wind," Blake says. She calls these White Petals of the North. — “These caribou-tufted earrings are inspired by the quiet elegance of white petals found in nature – soft blossoms that thrive in open tundra and forest clearings,” Blake says. She calls these White Petals of the North. “The white caribou tufts are shaped like petals, reflecting purity, balance, and the gentle movement of flowers stirred by the wind,”

Her on-the-land experiences guide the colours and designs that emerge in her art, and every piece is tied back to the land and the changing seasons.

Blake said when people purchase her work, it makes her feel proud that they understand the effort, dedication, and love she puts into each piece.

She says as she does not sell her work through social media, people can purchase her pieces at craft sales.

The Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley have relaunched and expanded the Beading Series. The Indigenous Artists Showcase will feature an artist every other month beginning in January. An artist will be selected based on the theme for that month (such as jewellery, clothing or accessories).

Artists who submitted their work will receive $25. The selected artist will receive $250.

Check out the boards’ Facebook page for information on when and how to submit your work.