Exhibitions
Naomi's Designs have been featured in a number of Exhibitions, Fashion Shows, and Cultural Events. Here are a few:
Indigenous Fashion Arts Toronto 2024
Medicine Harvest:
This collection of Ponchos are the imaginings of what one might wear while harvesting traditional medicines, particularly those used by the Gwich’in people of the far north, Naomi’s First Nation. Naomi designed this traditional garment with her knowledge of indigenous horticulture, to allow hands-free movement whilst harvesting and gathering from the land. Each poncho has specific functional qualities to assist in the collecting and transportation of traditional medicines. Naomi has integrated elements into each poncho, such as three bison horn rings in the ‘Willow’ poncho. Attached by strands of home tanned moose hide, the hide binds around the willow bundles for ease of carrying. As a trained silversmith, Naomi also incorporates traditional materials with contemporary techniques.
Circle Craft Student Scholarship Exhibit
April 2016
Granville Island, Vancouver, BC
Among work exhibited, Naomi's body of work Entitled "Hunters/Gatherers" was on Display.
Based on the Traditional way of life of the Gwich'in People; the First Nation to whom Naomi belongs.
'Transformation' - the 9th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Fine Jewellery and Metalwork
April 11 to May 31
Zilberschmuck Gallery, Toronto, ON
Naomi's submission was accepted and featured. Below was the accompanying statement.
"Inuk-Took”
The notion of taking a quintessential Canadian icon – the Inuksuk, a traditional tool used by the Inuit people of the high Arctic, then proceeding to transform it into something which resembles a tourist trinket manufactured offshore, speaks to the shift from handmade to mass produced; in particular, offerings for the tourism market fashioned after cultural emblems. On that note, this piece also represents the deviation of cultural misappropriation, a transformation of genuine articles into tacky machine fabricated knock-offs. Symbols of meaning and import to specific tribal and/or geographical groups are too often and too quickly misused in the name of trend or fashion; without consideration for the people it (often poorly) represents. Is imitation truly the best form of flattery?
The decision to make the pendant and chain appear commercially fabricated highlights the contrast between details achieved through handcrafted process and the cookie-cutter quality of assembly line produced objects.
Truth and Reconciliation National Event
July 2011
Inuvik, NT
Naomi Designed a special body of work that was featured at one of the cultural evenings at the Truth and Reconciliation National Event in Inuvik, July 2011.
One of the pieces is a loomed necklace composed of turquoise and glass beads, along with Caribou antler tips, fresh water pearls, pineapple quartz, and more antler.
Rare in Nature 2 Fashion Show
April 15, 2010
Naomi's Designs were featured in the Final cultural event at the Northern House - Rare in Nature 2 Fashion Show.
Arts Week Demonstration
Canada's Northern House, Vancouver, BC
Naomi also participated in and Arts Week Demonstration at Canada's Northern House, a Pavilion set up by Canada's three Territories during the Olympics in Vancouver 2010.
Ignite the Light Fashion Show
2008
Yellowknife, NT
Naomi's jewelry was featured in the Ignite the Light Fashion Show during the 2008 Arctic Winter Games in Yellowknife, NT; under her line 'Lulu Bijou'.
