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“Money wasn’t a true form of our wealth, in fact there was no money, we had a symbol, a Tinaá. To possess one, was to imply our family was strong and could provide for others. Our boxes were of tremendous value as well. Storing food, ceremonial objects and valuable tools were some common uses. These items were our wealth. In this piece there is a spirit to represent our ancestors. Holding a box covered in Tinaá represents the Dáanaa Jíli (Cache) Trust itself. There is some future locked away here, and we one day will become this ancestor. Holding onto today’s form of wealth, for the next generations.”

Kaylyn, who is Northern Tutchone and Tlingit, beads and tufts earrings, pendants, chokers, bolo ties, cuffs, and more. Her creations use traditional techniques, but her colour and pattern choices are dizzyingly anti-conventional. She often incorporates high-contrast black and white quillwork into her flowers. And, she’ll often give each petal an entirely different treatment; beaded stripes, then orange tufting, then neon pink. Sometimes her tufts are multi-colour, resembling tie-dye or even graffiti-style spray-paint. For this technique, Kaylyn learned hair-dying tips from her hairdresser and applied them to caribou hair. As she also incorporates gems, metallics, crystals, gold – each piece becomes an audacious garden, a feast for the eyes. Her work though, is more than aesthetic experience. Each piece is inspired by a memory or a story or a friend. "I heard a phrase one time – symphony of thoughts – that I really like," says Kaylyn. "It is what my pieces are. So many textures, never flat. I give myself permission to try things. I do whatever I feel like in the moment!"                   
Contact Kaylyn at  K.j.Baker@live.com