I love people especially children. I grew up with 5 brothers and sisters.. my family was incredible even though we didn't have material things, it hardly occurred to us. I guess it was the attitude my parents had. They were both so hard working and generous that we were taught you must be rich if you could give.. and I always remember them being so kind and generous. It's interesting, but I believe you will find that philosophy a common thread throughout our North American Cultures. I always remember my mama working very hard and long hours mending nets when she wasn't fishing with my father on a seine boat. My father was one of the first men to rally unions to pay woman when they worked on fishing boats. I have to say that I had a very close relationship with my father who taught me that I should expect to be treated fairly as a woman. I remember when I was five years old and he took me to a Fisherman's Union meeting. All the men got up to say who they were and where they were from...when everyone had gotten up to speak my father interrupted the union speaker and said .."Excuse me you forgot one person" and he smiled and motioned me up on the platform to say who I was and what I did!
My father would die when he was much too young and it was a devastating blow to my family. I suppose I would have to say that his legacy would be that he always honoured the unhonoured .. My mother was torn and she struggled to raise us kids. I became a momma much too young but as luck would have it...My children are and always have been my little beacons in life! They kept me moving forward when I thought I couldn't do it. I always had to work hard to feed them so I became very good at doing more than one job! Some of those early years would see me juggling three jobs during the week.
I think that's why I am good at doing what I do now. My mind is always looking at things from so many different perspectives. I enjoy every aspect of designing and producing so much it hardly feels like work when I am creating. You can check out some of the fashion shows on www.artifaax.com . My line of clothing is called Indian Summer and I am in the process of revamping the fashion show and jewelry line to take the fashion show on tour next year. It will be a full production and will showcase our very talented and beautiful First Nations Models. I suppose if I had any advice I’d like to give the youth of today… it would be to look towards your children for some of the most valuable teachings and gifts in your life. Listen to what they are showing you.
