Karen Wright-Fraser isnSA国际影视传媒檛 exactly a stranger to Winnipeg.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e been to Winnipeg many years ago. Maybe 15 or 20 years ago for some kind of training for one of my jobs,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 really remember it very well.SA国际影视传媒�

Now, sheSA国际影视传媒檚 back, this time at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. On Tuesday, she took part in a panel discussion to kick start NWT Arts Week in the Manitoba capital with four other artists.

What drew Wright-Fraser in, she explained, was the chance at hand.

SA国际影视传媒淎n opportunity was there so I thought, SA国际影视传媒榊ou know, ISA国际影视传媒檓 always comfortable being in Yellowknife and going to a craft sale. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 smaller and ISA国际影视传媒檓 comfortable with thatSA国际影视传媒�,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

SA国际影视传媒淲hy not go for the experience and see what itSA国际影视传媒檚 all about and have to step up a notch?SA国际影视传媒�

And step it up she did, describing Tuesday as a little hectic with all the inventory and organizing that goes into setting up her workshop for the public to see. Still, she said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 glad she came.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 been a great experience so far.SA国际影视传媒�

But what might be the most important about this event, Wright-Fraser said, was being able to share her story.

SA国际影视传媒淚 always love to talk up the NWT,SA国际影视传媒� she said with a laugh. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 proud of where I come from and I love talking about our home. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 probably one of the most important things for me.SA国际影视传媒�

Casey Koyczan moderated TuesdaySA国际影视传媒檚 panel discussion, which included Robyn Scott of Yellowknife, Candice Ferdinand of Deline, Cathy Gonet of Fort Liard and Margaret Nazon of Tsiigehtchic. He said that events like the one in Winnipeg are huge for getting artists in the NWT recognized.

SA国际影视传媒淲e only got our first legitimate contemporary art gallery last year, in 2023,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚f you were exhibiting in smaller galleries in the NWT for 10, 20 years, none of that would count towards the requirements towards a Canada Council of the Arts grant.SA国际影视传媒�

Some people would even call the NWT the black hole of the arts and music industry, Koyczan added, and events like these are a way out of it.

And for Koyczan, this event is special in more ways than one.

When he graduated from the University of Manitoba in 2021, Wright-Fraser made him a Dene hide vest, he said. But because of Covid, he never got to wear it.

Not until Tuesday.

SA国际影视传媒淚 felt really good,SA国际影视传媒� said Koyczan, talking about how it felt to finally wear his vest. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 the first Dene vest ISA国际影视传媒檝e ever had and to wear it for this event seems so right.SA国际影视传媒�

As for Wright-Fraser, sheSA国际影视传媒檚 got plenty of work and plenty of time, a combination sheSA国际影视传媒檚 pretty pleased about.

SA国际影视传媒淭o get this far away from home and be able to sit here - ISA国际影视传媒檓 going to have like eight hours to sit here and create. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 so exciting for me.SA国际影视传媒�

Johanna Tiemessen, the GNWTSA国际影视传媒檚 manager of art and traditional economies, stated that the week in Winnipeg was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the territory.

SA国际影视传媒淭he NWT Arts Program, through its Artist to Market Program, works with partner organizations to create economic development opportunities for artists so they can share the story of their art and build their creative business,SA国际影视传媒� she stated.

SA国际影视传媒擝y Devon Tredinnick