Dawn Ashcroft

Mitaanjigamiing First Nation

My name is Dawn Ashcroft, I am an Anishinaabe-kwe from the Traditional Anishinaabe Territory of Treaty 3 with mixed ancestry of Welsh descent. I've had very few formal teachers due to the very early passing of my maternal Grandmother who was murdered. I am a self-taught artist for ribbon skirts and shirts but have received teachings from Elders on the importance of respecting our physical beings as vessels for our spirit.

I have learned about Indigenous Arts and Crafts from attending Lakehead University where I gained experience in crafting baskets, leather mittens, moccasins, beading, and drums. My mother was adopted out as part of the 60s Scoop and I was born in 1988, both of my maternal grandparents had attended Residential School. I moved around a lot all over Turtle Island and have only recently returned to my traditional territory with my family. I am a proud mother of 4, a home-based online retailer of non-toxic products and goods that are Indigenous made. I create my own pieces of art and teach my children how to sew, bead, and paint. I enjoy attending ceremonies such as cedar baths, spirit lodges, shake tents, feasting ceremonies and powwows, and have offered tobacco to an Elder for her children to receive traditional spirit names. I enjoy learning my traditional language and hope to be fluent one day.