Here’s an extract of the Q&A from the article.

Why did you start making regalia?

I always wanted to be an artist, but I found drawing difficult. Instead I would make Christmas gifts for family and friends – and it turned out that people really liked my stuff! I put a photo on Facebook of me dancing in my shawl and it all just went from there. Now I have so many regalia requests it’s overwhelming!

Is your regalia traditional?

I try to make it as natural as possible, to really follow the fabric and use traditional materials. But I was still surprised when looked at James Teit’s photographs and saw pictures of women in shawls similar to mine! I was doing something that was my own, but it was something that our people have done for hundreds of years.

What inspires your work?

I get so inspired by different things I see, like the natural line and colour of the buckskin.

I also get inspired by the person I am making regalia for, based on what they would like – or what I would like the see them in. I don’t want my regalia to look like everyone else’s, I want it to stand out! I also put extra work into my regalia to make sure it lasts a life time. When I’m working I try to think good things, I believe you shouldn’t work when you are sad or angry or hurt.

Read the rest of the interview at Whistler is Awesome.