NWT artists Marlene Tutcho and Amanda Baton both say their trip to Ottawa for the 2024 International Indigenous Tourism Conference was worthwhile.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was a big success,SA国际影视传媒� said DelineSA国际影视传媒檚 Tutcho, whose booth was nearly empty on the last day of the event at the capital citySA国际影视传媒檚 Shaw Centre. SA国际影视传媒淎s you can see, my table is shrinking.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 been a big success,SA国际影视传媒� agreed Baton, from Yellowknife. SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of my stuff has sold. All my large, statement pieces are gone.SA国际影视传媒�

Tutcho and Baton were in Ottawa as part of a cohort of five with NWT Arts, a branch of the GNWT that promotes artists from the territory.

Both women are experienced creators.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was born and raised into a culture where my parents and my sisters would sew,SA国际影视传媒� said Tutcho. SA国际影视传媒淎fter 2014, I picked it up really fast. I started creating my own designs with the help of my mom and my older sister.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚 come from a family of beaders and creators and I did so at a young age,SA国际影视传媒� added Baton. SA国际影视传媒淚n 2018 or 2019, I started sewing and I just kind of took off from there. I started testing myself and seeing what my strengths are. I kept doubting myself, thinking SA国际影视传媒榦h I canSA国际影视传媒檛 make fringe earrings.SA国际影视传媒� Then I made fringe earrings. SA国际影视传媒榌I thought] SA国际影视传媒榦h, I canSA国际影视传媒檛 do tufting.SA国际影视传媒� Then I did tufting.SA国际影视传媒�

For Tutcho, it was her third such excursion to other Canadian markets with NWT Arts. She emphasized the importance of travel out of the territory for artists and craftspeople.

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 so much opportunity out there,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淧eople need to grasp it and take it and say, this is my culture, this is what I was born and raised to do.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚 used to see my mother do this, and I thought SA国际影视传媒業SA国际影视传媒檒l never go that far,SA国际影视传媒� but ISA国际影视传媒檝e went so far. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a great opportunity.SA国际影视传媒�

For Baton, the trip was a somewhat new experience.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 been very humbling and very eye-opening as well,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a fairly large market and I have all different people from all walks of life coming by and itSA国际影视传媒檚 really beautiful to hear the words that people say about my jewelry, and how unique and different it is.SA国际影视传媒�

What made the Ottawa conference, held Feb. 26-28, particularly meaningful for both women was the fact that it was international. The event included Indigenous representatives from across Canada, as well as places like Hawaii, Mexico and even Norway.

They both agreed it was inspiring to mingle with Indigenous people from far-off places and to receive such positive feedback from the strangers they encountered.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey said itSA国际影视传媒檚 very unique and very different,SA国际影视传媒� Baton said of the compliments she received about her work. SA国际影视传媒淸People called it] high-end, luxurious, really blingy. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 kind of what ISA国际影视传媒檝e been hearing.

SA国际影视传媒淚 just love hearing that because this takes months of planning and lots of work, lots of love, lots of healing. Creating is a healing outlet for me. It helps me to stay present and grounded.SA国际影视传媒�

The two artists and their peers made the long journey back to the NWT on Feb. 29.

They both hope to attend similar events in the future.

SA国际影视传媒淚 probably will have a break from now until maybe a month or so and start doing it again,SA国际影视传媒� said Tutcho.

Along for the trip with Tutcho, Baton and their fellow artists was Johanna Tiemessen, the Department of Industry, Tourism and InvestmentSA国际影视传媒檚 manager of arts programming and traditional economy.

Tiemessen has taken numerous artists and creators on similar excursions, but agreed that the outing in Ottawa was a great success.

SA国际影视传媒淲hat it comes down to is the audience SA国际影视传媒� the when and the where and the who,SA国际影视传媒� she said in the Shaw Centre. SA国际影视传媒淭his is an international Indigenous tourism conference. The people that are coming here want to support these makers SA国际影视传媒攁ll of the makers in this room.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen you have a dedicated audience that is here specifically to support and shop, I think that makes a difference,SA国际影视传媒� she added. SA国际影视传媒淸The artists] reach new audiences. It totally advances their business and their artwork.SA国际影视传媒�