My Story

Vashti Etzel | Dene Artisan

Rooted in Land, Family, and Ancestral Knowledge

Dénht'ā? Eszį' Vashti Etzel gūye'. Tułidlini Dene lāst'ā. Shuhta Dene yeh Kaska Dene lāst'ā.

Hello, how are you? My name is Vashti Etzel. I am a Shuhta Dene (Mountain Slavey) and Kaska Dene artist from Tułidlini (Ross River), Yukon, on the unceded traditional territory of the Kaska Dene. I am a proud member of the Ross River Dena Council, and my ancestry also includes Chipewyan, Cree, German, and Scottish roots.

My artistic journey is deeply rooted in my family, my homelands, and the generations who came before me. Much of who I am today has been shaped by the stories, experiences, and teachings of my grandparents, along with the encouragement and love of my mother.

My Grandfather — Robert Etzel

My late grandfather, Robert Etzel, was of Kaska Dene, Northern Tutchone, and German ancestry. He was a trapper, land steward, gardener, prospector, storyteller, and knowledge carrier.

As a child, my grandfather was diagnosed with tuberculosis and spent many years in hospital, remaining there for most of his childhood. Despite the hardships he experienced, he carried a wealth of knowledge about the land, our people, and the ways of life that existed before so much changed through colonization.

He was a quiet man, but when he spoke, I listened.

I remember the stories he shared about earlier generations, living off the land, and the changes he witnessed throughout his lifetime. His stories gave me a deeper understanding of where I come from and the resilience of our people.

My grandfather passed away in 2018, but the knowledge and memories he shared continue to influence how I see the world and the responsibility I feel toward my culture and homelands.

My Grandmother — Eva Etzel (Ollie)

My late grandmother, Eva Etzel, whose maiden name was Ollie, was a Shuhta Dene woman whose family came from the Tulita and Norman Wells region of the Northwest Territories.

She was the matriarch of our family, a talented seamstress, and a woman who worked hard to provide for those she loved. Sewing was not simply a pastime for her; it was a skill that helped sustain her family and a way of life.

My grandmother was also a survivor of the Whitehorse Residential School, which she attended alongside her siblings.

One family story that has always stayed with me is how her parents built a small cabin along Fish Lake Road, near the residential school. They would sneak oranges through the fence to their children. It is a story that speaks to the love and determination of parents trying to remain connected to their children despite the separation imposed upon them.

My grandmother passed away when I was only seven years old.

She was my favourite person in the world.

Although our time together was short, I remember following her around, watching everything she did. I was drawn to her presence, her hands, and the things she created. At the time, I couldn't have known how deeply those memories would shape my future.

Years later, my mother passed down some of my grandmother's sewing supplies to me. Holding those materials created a connection to her that I still carry today.

Sometimes I think about the knowledge that lives within us, even when we haven't had the opportunity to learn directly from those who came before us. I think of it as a kind of blood memory, an ancestral connection that continues to find its way through our hands.

 

A Life Rooted in the Land

Together, my grandparents raised nine children in a small three-bedroom home beside the Pelly River in Ross River.

Their lives were closely connected to the land. They hunted, harvested, tanned hides, gardened, and worked hard to provide for their family.

They lived through tremendous changes, carrying both the hardships and strengths of their generations.

As I grow older, I find myself appreciating their lives in ways I couldn't fully understand as a child. Their resourcefulness, resilience, and knowledge continue to inspire me, particularly when I work with traditional materials such as hide, fur, and porcupine quills.

Through my artwork, I feel connected to the generations who worked with these materials long before me.

My Mother — Where My Creativity Began

My mother has always been an important influence in my creative journey.

From a young age, she recognized and encouraged my artistic interests. She gave me the freedom to explore my imagination, be curious, and express myself through creativity.

Some of my favourite childhood memories come from growing up in Ross River, surrounded by the beauty of my mother's garden. Her flowers, the colours of the seasons, and the small creatures that visited our yard became part of how I experienced the world.

One memory that has stayed with me was discovering what I thought was an enormous bee while playing outside in my pyjamas before bedtime. My mother handed me her camera and encouraged me to photograph it. When we developed the pictures, she identified it as a hawk moth.

Years later, that childhood memory became part of The Matriarch Gauntlets, an artwork I created in 2019 as a tribute to my late grandmother. The floral designs represent my mother's garden, while the hawk moth and swallowtail butterfly carry memories of childhood wonder, growth, and transformation.

The piece was acquired by the Yukon Permanent Art Collection in 2020.

Looking back, I recognize that my mother's encouragement helped nurture something within me long before I understood where my artistic journey would lead.

Finding My Way Back Through Art

My journey into becoming a professional artist began after the birth of my first son.

Motherhood brought new meaning to my identity, my connection to my ancestors, and the cultural knowledge I wanted to carry forward for my children.

I began exploring traditional Dene art forms, learning, practicing, and slowly developing my own artistic voice.

Today, I work with caribou hair tufting, porcupine quill work, beadwork, traditional hides, and mixed media. I am especially drawn to the intricate details of these practices and the patience they require.

My work often brings together traditional techniques and contemporary design, allowing me to explore my identity while honouring the knowledge and artistry of those who came before me.

Over the years, my work has taken me beyond my home community to exhibitions, galleries, and art markets across Canada and internationally. In 2024, my work received first-place recognition at the Santa Fe Indian Market. My artwork is also represented in the Yukon Permanent Art Collection and the Global Affairs Canada travelling collection.

These opportunities have been important milestones, but the meaning behind my work has always remained connected to my family, my culture, and the land.

Reclaiming My Name

For many years, I created under the name Golden Eye Designs. It was where I began building my artistic practice and finding my place as an Indigenous artist and entrepreneur.

Over time, my work evolved, and so did I.

I began to recognize that I wanted my artistic identity to reflect more than a business name. I wanted it to represent who I am, where I come from, and the generations whose stories I carry.

Choosing to move forward as Vashti Etzel | Dene Artisan became an important part of reclaiming my identity and embracing my place as a contemporary Dene artist.

My traditional name, Nénesti’ík Mā — Mother of Sewing, carries meaning within this journey and reflects the relationship I continue to build with my cultural and artistic identity.

Carrying Knowledge Forward

Today, my practice extends beyond creating artwork.

I share traditional arts through workshops, mentorship, community projects, and educational experiences with youth and adults. As a Connected North content provider, I have also had opportunities to connect with students in classrooms across the North and beyond.

Teaching has become an important part of my journey. It allows me to share what I have learned while continuing to grow alongside others.

I often think about my grandparents and the lives they lived. I think about my grandmother's hands, my grandfather's stories, my mother's encouragement, and the responsibility I have to the generations who will come after me.

My three children are a constant reminder of why this work matters.

Art has become my way of honouring the past, expressing who I am in the present, and contributing to the future of Dene artistic traditions.

Everything I create carries a part of my story — my family, my homelands, my memories, and the generations who came before me.

View my artist CV