N.W.T. artists 'create beautiful things' in the year after Yellowknife's wildfire evacuation

Wildfires are often seen as a destructive force. 

It's something the N.W.T knows all too well. Fires have the capacity to burn forests, destroy homes and decimate entire communities. But – just as they breathe new life into the ecological landscape – wildfire has also been a force for creativity in the territory. 

Friday marks one year since the evacuation of Yellowknife, Ndilǫ and Dettah was declared. Beadwork, paintings, magazines and music have all been shaped by the collective experience of fleeing from wildfire. To mark the anniversary, we're looking at how that experience has shaped art in the N.W.T. over the past year. 

Sitting on top of the cash register at the Mackenzie Cabins in Fort Providence, N.W.T. are a pair of vibrant earrings that, unlike most other jewelry in the shop, aren't for sale. 

At first glance, the design appears to be that of a flower. But upon closer inspection, you'll notice the petals are actually flames. The middle petal is made of tufted caribou hair dyed red, orange and yellow, and the outer petals are made of beads. The flaming flower is nestled in green leaves, and dangling from the bottom of it are warm-coloured tassels. 

Natasha Cleary made these earrings while living out of the Castaway Cottages in Hay River, N.W.T. The home she shared with her children and husband in Enterprise had recently been destroyed by wildfire. 

Her mom gave her the supplies, because her own had been lost. 

"The only thing that was on my mind really was the fire and everything that happened. So I kind of just went with it and, I don't know, it just spoke to me I guess. It came out looking like fire," she said. 

Cleary has been beading since she was child, but taught herself how to tuft four or five years ago. She said sewing and making jewelry helps her with her mental health, and in the aftermath of the wildfire — making this pair was particularly emotional. 

Her original patterns had also been lost. 

"I had to redraw it all over again and put my heart and emotions into every piece that I did," she said. "Everything's not going to be exactly the same as it was but you know, I guess in a way it's probably made things more beautiful." 

Cleary's mom, who operates the cabins in Fort Providence, claimed the earrings right away. 

"It just shows that after something devastating, I guess you can still create beautiful things," said Cleary.

Sara Komarnisky had the foresight to pack her watercolour paints when she and her family fled Yellowknife last year.