Indigenous Artist

J'net Ayayqwayaksheelth (One who gives away and still stands tall) is a member of the Ahousaht community within the Nuu-chah-nulth homelands on Vancouver Island and is a descendant of whale hunters and cedar bark weavers. Cedar bark weaving is being revived and retained by peoples across the West Coast and J’net actively practices this timeless art form to ensure her children and future unborn generations continue the practice.

Artistically, J’net is also an emerging textile artist using distinct Nuu-chah-nulth West Coast art to create a unique expression as a vital way to retain and sustain oral story traditions on contemporary and re-cultured clothing.

As an Arts Educator J’net has a commitment to raising a positive profile of Indigenous peoples, imparting facts about a difficult colonial history, and offering insights to ongoing contemporary contributions being made by diverse nations from throughout Turtle Island.

In her current permanent position with the Royal Ontario Museum as the Indigenous Outreach and Learning Coordinator J’net engages with the Indigenous community to assist the ROM with an authentic representation of Indigenous peoples in our tours, Indigenous Professional Learning sessions, Indigenous special events, and expand outreach throughout the province.

INDIGENOUS ANCESTRY

First Nations

SELF-IDENTIFICATION

Ahousaht, Nuu-chah-nulth Nation