CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — For the past three years, Makayla Bernard has been using birch bark and porcupine quills to pursue her passion of making Indigenous art.
Now, she is turning that art into a business.
“I decided that one day, I wanted to do something and make money,” she said.
“I needed a business, so I made this business and all my materials come from the environment.”
Makayla says her family has been proud and supportive of her entrepreneurial project, as the 11-year-old has completed dozens of earrings, bracelets and artwork over the past few years.
Makayla was one of many Mi’kmaq and Indigenous artists and artisans who sold their wares at the recent Mi’kmaq and Indigenous artisan market at the Confederation Centre of the Arts.
For Makayla, preserving her culture and being with her family at the market was something she had been looking forward to for weeks.
She said she hopes to continue her work and looks forward to future markets, powwows and other opportunities to sell what she makes.
Makayla said she was inspired by her family who has several artists and creators making their goods through Mi’kmaq culture.
She said she is saving up for something special for herself, and while she didn't reveal what that is, she did say it's something she’s always wanted but never had enough money to get.
From L’nui Mnikuk First Nation on Lennox Island, Makayla said she encourages other young Mi’kmaq artists and artisans to pursue their passions in entrepreneurship or art.
She said she wants to continue to make art and fashion for as long as she can and hopes to grow her business in the future.
“I love fashion because it makes me look and feel really good and it makes other people look and feel really good, too,” she said.
Makayla's creations can be viewed on her Facebook page, “Quilling with Makayla”.
