Naomi is an Indigenous Artisan and Educator from Neyaashiinigmiing, Ontario. She has a passionate interest in Native American beadwork, adornment and textiles. Naomi work includes the creation of a fusion style of beadwork that incorporates both raised and flat beading methods. Naomi’s has a unique educational background in Fashion and Textile Design, Graphic Design and fine art from the notable Sheridan College/University, and Humber. She remains mostly self-taught with her Indigenous artwork but all of her studies have aided Naomi in her creative journey. Over the years she has developed a passion for sharing and is actively involved in educating others about the ways of the Indigenous people of the Great Lakes Region from a historical and contemporary perspective often through the story of beads. For over 25 years Naomi has created traditional objects such as beaded bag, cuffs, collars, clothing, baskets and functional items. She always utilizes older patterns and designs from the Great Lakes Territory that incorporates Natural or glass beads, Sweet Grass, Birch Bark, Porcupine Quill, Hair and Hide always valuing these Sacred materials throughout her creative process.

Naomi has exhibited her artwork internationally at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), Memorial Hall Museum in Deerfield, MA, Castellani Art Museum, University of Niagara, NY, Mohegan Culture Week in Uncasville, CT and acted as guest lecturer for special NMAI events in New York and Washington, DC. She has taught and lectured throughout North America including Bead and Button Show, Royal Ontario Museum, Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA), Bata Shoe Museum, The Textile Museum, Wellington County Museum and Archives, Jake Thomas Learning Centre (Six Nations Brantford), Tom Thompson Gallery, Art Gallery of Guelph, Canadian National Exhibition, Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, Kitchener Waterloo Museum, Joseph Schneider Haus Historical Site, Black creek Pioneer Village, Embroidery Association of Canada in Ottawa and Newfoundland. She was honoured to be part of the 2017 Adaka Arts Festival in Whitehorse Yukon where she won the People’s Choice Award for her beadwork. Naomi was the Artist in Residence at The Joseph Schneider House Historical Site for 2018.

Naomi participates in several shows every year, when it isn’t a pandemic, where she exhibits her one of a kind wearable art. She also enjoys her role as an Indigenous resource person and knowledge keeper, and has curated several exhibits on Woodlands and Northeastern Indigenous Culture. Naomi’s work and her life are a clearly defined journey that fully celebrates the traditions of her roots and her Nation.

Artist’s Statement: “Honouring our traditions is my voice within and beyond my Culture and Community. Traditionally there is no word for “art” in Native languages yet artistry and visual expression are critical in defining who we are as First Nations people. It is this path I wish to exemplify through my teachings and my work.”