Spring adornment video
Dénht'ā?
Eszį' Vashti Etzel gūye'. Shuhta Dene yeh Kaska Dene lāst'ā. Tułidlini Dene lāst'ā.
Hello, how are you? I am Vashti Etzel. I am a Mountain Slavey Dene and Kaska Dene from Ross River, Yukon.
Welcome to my virtual space of empowering Indigenous voices with adornment and wearable art creation.
Mahsi Cho! Sōgá Sénlā' for visiting!
Virtual Learning
Online Tufting Workshops
Explore the world of caribou hair tufting with Dene artist Vashti Etzel!
Community
Vashti enjoys working with Indigenous communities. Aiming to break down barriers caused by intergenerational trauma due to the impacts from colonization and schools that were created to assimilate Indigenous children.
Building strong relationships by creating opportunities of involvement that elevates growth, confidence, sacred beauty, healing and connection to culture.
Photography by Brooke Martel.
Land Based
Materials are sourced from the land and are often incorporated in statement jewelry. Vashti enjoy's supporting local trappers, elders, Indigenous families and artisans. She also enjoys involving her children to take part in these traditional skills of harvesting.
Empowerment
Ancestral Connection
Resilience
Made for the Spotlight
Vashti creates custom jewelry for those in and out of the spotlight. For anyone on or off the stage. Adornment that keeps you rooted as you are performing or speaking. Giving you a sense of comfort and a guiding light to our cultural existence.
Dene Musician: Leela Gilday
Photographer: Patrick Kane