#87: ᐊᑎᐦᑲᒣᐠ ᓇᐢᐸᓯᓇᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧᐣ - Whitefish Scale Art

#87. That fish you are going to catch during this long weekend? Learn the Indigenous word for it and local teachings about it.

​While I didn't catch a fish I did make art with the scales from a whitefish. 
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- Dene
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​         ᐊᑎᐦᑲᒣᐠ  or atihkamek   - Cree             
         
This amazing form of art is made possible by the unusual characteristics of the northern whitefish scale. To create these unique pieces, the  scales are removed, cleaned and slowly dried. When dry, the scales curl in a manner suggestive of flower petals, although you could easily wet them again to make them flat. They are then applied in a three dimensional setting to a backdrop, in my case on a piece of canvas. 

Fish bones are often used to accent the artwork (guess where I have placed my fish bones). The scales can be used in their natural state (yellowish white), or dyed in various colours using regular dye such as Rit or food dye. Either way both forms keep this crystal like finish and reflect the light in the most beautiful way. To learn more about the traditional teachings about fish scale art, click here. 

Thank you so much to Athabasca Tribal Council for bringing in Nancy Hager, a wonderful teacher and Northern Tutchone Artist who walked us through the artisanal process. If you are looking to contact her check out her website: www.yukontraditionalart.com.

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