Rebecca Doctor, not having grown up practicing traditional crafts, acquired these skills through participation in a northern Indigenous art program that she believes has deepened her connection with her cultural heritage. She is one of eight individuals marking the completion of the Northern Indigenous Art Certificate course. The program is offered by Yellowknives Dene First Nation’s Dechı̨ta Nà owo in collaboration with Portage College in Lac La Biche, Alberta.
The curriculum of this program is focused on teaching traditional arts in exchange for post-secondary credits. The group of students gathered at Yellowknife’s Tree of Peace to commemorate their graduation. Doctor shared that despite growing up in Alberta, away from Yellowknife, she found it enriching to reconnect with her roots and delve into her cultural arts.
Her most cherished project from the program was crafting her parka, which took her over a month to complete. Doctor expressed her enjoyment in making it, emphasizing that it fits her perfectly. Another graduate, Henry Ben Martin, expressed his delight in learning new techniques and ideas alongside his classmates, noting that creating alongside them brightened his perspective and enhanced his artistic vision.
Martin mentioned that while the creation of a bracelet was challenging, it brought him a sense of accomplishment. Margaret Erasmus, the director of Dechı̨ta Nà owo, highlighted that the collaboration with Portage College aimed to infuse a Northern focus into the program. Erasmus acknowledged the gap in traditional arts education for young people and emphasized the importance of providing post-secondary credit to recognize students’ knowledge and achievements.
The program’s success was evident through the hard work and dedication of the students, something that brought joy to the instructors. The students who completed the program have the opportunity to further their studies at Portage College, which offers additional courses in traditional arts beyond the certificate program. Erasmus expressed satisfaction in the program’s ability to break down barriers and facilitate student progression into more advanced studies.
The celebration of the graduates’ accomplishments was marked with a cake and photographs capturing moments of joy and pride. The program was commended for fostering happiness, pride, and cultural appreciation among the students. Overall, the Northern Indigenous Art Certificate program has proven to be a significant milestone in bridging cultural heritage with contemporary education opportunities.
[Listen to coverage of the graduation celebration from The Trailbreaker](https://timesofosaka.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/default-7576.jpeg)
