2024 Cando Economic Developer of the Year Award Winner: Individual Category: Indigenous Private Sector Business Winner. Kaska Dena Designs

My name is Natasha Peter. I am a mother to a beautiful 6-year-old baby girl whom I’m proudly teaching Dena ways. I am a member of the Wolf Clan, as is my daughter. My family history line is Kaska, Northern Tutchone, Tlingit, and Scottish, a long line of strong people. I am from the Kaska Dena lands of Ross River, Yukon, where I was raised with a deep appreciation for traditional ways of life. My grandmothers, Mary and Tootsie Charlie, gave me the name Gwensellia, which means Moose Skin Scrapper, a name that reflects the value our culture places on hard work. Growing up, I learned important skills like hunting, harvesting, sewing, and beading from my family and community, as well as from the Elders who shared their knowledge and wisdom with me. Their teachings have had a profound impact on who I am today and continue to inspire me in my work. When I was a little girl, I began sewing, especially during my Kaska Dena language classes. As an adult, before I began Kaska Dena Designs, I had a full-time job in the mining industry in the Yukon. During this time, I was working in mining camps. I would go to the camp for 3-4 weeks at a time and began to lose interest in my culture. I decided to quit my work in mining and started to work for an Indigenous store in Whitehorse. I began to get back into sewing. It was healing for me before I realized it was. I had a passion for making crafts when I was younger and eventually began a home business, Creative Dena Designs, in 2017. In my spare time, I fell in love with creating again. As time went on, my sewing and creative work began to heal me, and I just kept creating. When my home business, Creative Dena Designs, began to grow, I created a group page on Facebook, and that helped to grow my customer base Canada-wide. I began designing, manufacturing, and selling clothing and accessories through Facebook and in-person events. In 2022, I wanted to do this work as a full-time job, and that is when I established Kaska Dena Designs to reflect my First Nation and where I was raised. I had my first art exhibit in Whitehorse and began going to fashion shows. Next, I became an international designer. I was featured on runways in NY, Paris. Seeing people light up through my artwork feeds my passion for what I do. With a passion for honouring cultural traditions and a deep appreciation for the natural world, I am an artist and designer who creates unique clothing that celebrates our heritage and supports independent artists. I draw inspiration from the land that heals, nourishes, and inspires us. We harvest a lot of raw materials from the land during the fall season and source supplies from people in our community, helping each other grow. I infuse each piece with warmth, colours, and peace. When I create, I channel a place of calmness and creativity, always keeping in mind the lessons and wisdom passed down by those who have taught me what I know to be true. My designs reflect the fighting spirit and strength of my grandparents, and I sew memories of those I love into every piece. The result is clothing that imbues its wearers with confidence, pride, and beauty. My work also represents a commitment to preserving cultural traditions and providing a legacy that future generations can appreciate and protect. In my business, I provide high-quality, one-of-a-kind clothing that embodies the values of …