Pauline Gilley

Pauline Giley, crafts, craft maker, featherwork, jewlery, jewelry maker, leatherwork, painting, painter, woodworker, antler, dreamcatchers, medicine bags mittens, moccasins, seal skin , smudging feathers, talking sticks, Indigenous Artist, First Nations, Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada, Pass The Feather

Pauline Gilley

Pauline Gilley

Mi'kmaq, Qalipu First Nations

Pauline Gilley, Member of Qalipu First Nation. I am living in Corner Brook, NL but grew up in Sally's Cove and Rocky Harbour, NL. I learned sewing from my Grandmother. She made seal skin boots and moccasins for her family. Although I never learned this skill from her , I was very interested in learning because of her.

Pauline Giley, crafts, craft maker, featherwork, jewlery, jewelry maker, leatherwork, painting, painter, woodworker, antler, dreamcatchers, medicine bags mittens, moccasins, seal skin , smudging feathers, talking sticks, Indigenous Artist, First Nations, Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada, Pass The Feather

I took a Moccasin workshop held through our local Indigenous Women's group and was taught by Courtney Reid. I wanted to make myself a pair of Seal Skin Boots, which I did, creating my own pattern. This left me with leftover seal skin so I incorporated it into other crafts and my arts and crafts took off from there. I had always made crafts but now focused more on indigenous items. I was encouraged to try painting by family members and soon realized I could paint. I pretty much figured everything else out on my own. I try to stick with items that reflect our Mi'kmaq culture. Seal skin is a big thing for me since it reflects not only our indigenous culture but also our NL culture. People had to use whatever they had years ago and seal skin was a very important part of their life. My grandfather tanned the cow hides to use as footwear as well. They found a use for all parts of the animal. Therefore I love that today we can use the 'leftovers" for jewellery or smaller projects.

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