From the Land to the Wardrobe

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Pom Pom Beanie WE ARE STILL HERE now AVAILABLE on the website!! Link in BIO!!! Comfy and warm AF!!

NOVEMBER dates for the Bead Hangout!! We also received a donation of beads so that’s awesome!

✨ Join Us for a Creative Afternoon! ✨

The Manidoominens Collective invites you to an inspiring beading session at the Lake Helen Resource Centre — a space to explore art, connection, and creativity through beadwork.

🧵 Event Highlights:
🎨 Hands-on beading experience
💡 Guided beading techniques
🌈 Bring your own beads or purchase a limited bead kit ($35)

📅 Date: October 19, 2025
🕐 Time: 1–3 PM
🎟 Cost: FREE! (Ages 16+)

✨ Upcoming beading dates: Nov 2, 16, 30 & Dec 7, 14

Come create, learn, and connect in community — one bead at a time.

📧 manidoominenscollective@gmail.com
#ManidoominensCollective #BeadingWorkshop #CommunityArt #Beadwork #IndigenousArt #LakeHelen #CulturalCreativity #HandsOnArt

Manidoominens Collective. Bringing new experiences to a northwestern ontario community. Beading is relaxing, fun and enjoyable. OCTOBER 19, 1-3pm. Come out for an afternoon of beading and meet new people 💕 More dates to come!

King Colt by Janelle Wawia. NFS. #janellewawia

Thunderbird 2025 by Janelle Wawia - NFS #thunderbird #pinklightning #riseup #towardsthesky #itsabirditsaplaneitsthunderbird

All Around Me by Janelle Wawia
2014, acrylic on canvas board, 16 x 20 in. #janellewawia

Strawberry Love in black! Link in bio!!! Cozy raglan hooded sweater. Art by #janellewawia

A variety of raglan hoodies with art by Janelle Wawia are now on the website!! They can be styled for almost any occasion. Link in Bio!!

* Outside: 100% organic cotton
* Inside for all colors: 80% organic cotton, 20% recycled polyester
* Brushed lining
* Raglan sleeves
* Ribbed cuffs and hem
* Neck tape
* Drawstrings with metal eyelets and stoppers
* Jersey-lined hood

SOLD. Seven Braids, Seven Stories by Janelle Wawia, 2025. Acrylic & Ink on canvas, 24 x 30 x 2 inches.

In my culture, hair holds deep spiritual and cultural meaning.Braids signify the unity of body, mind and spirit, interconnecting these three aspects.

Hair is sacred, carrying energy and teachings passed down through generations. Braiding is both a protective and ceremonial act, connecting us to our ancestors and to the land.

Braiding is also an act of love, care, and relationship. Elders, parents, and loved ones may braid the hair of others, reinforcing bonds within family and community.

Seven Braids, Seven Stories is created with vines that remind us that our hair is alive with the land, connected to ancestors and to one another. Braiding is ceremony, resistance, and care.

#IndigenousArt #Braids #bushlife #AncestralStrength #janellewawia #SacredConnections #braidmyhair

The Physical by Janelle Wawia (2013) NFS. #bear #bearclan #janellewawia #outsidemybody #protector #thephysical
- can’t wait to one day share the stories behind my paintings.

The Dream by Janelle Wawia, acrylic on canvas, 16 x20. NFS.
This is a rendition of a very detailed dream I had while living in the Yukon. I remember having to crawl in the bush, under trees and through the snow to get to this gleaming round light, showing and flashing bits of my childhood. So amazing. Crisp air and tons of trees below this mountain of snow I climbed up on. It was so big. #dream #acrylicpainting #painting #yukon #art #art🎨 #visions #childhood #bushlife #trees #dreamer #indigenousart #dreams #messengers #janellewawia

Untitled 2012 by Janelle Wawia. Acrylic on canvas. NFS.

#indigenouswomen #floral #birch #eaglefeather #medicine #messengers #dreams #art #anishinaabekwe #anishinaabeart #painting #thebush #floral #connectedtotheland #circle #janellewawia #originalpainting #nativeart #anishinaabe #selfloveisthebestlove #artistsoninstagram #oneofakind #painting #eaglefeather

Otter Fur trimmed, Elk hide Gauntlets by Janelle Wawia NFS. #furgauntlets #Gauntlets #leathermitts #otterfur #furmitts #elkhide #janellewawia #otter #bushlife

SOLD. NFS. Out here in the bush, the night has its own way of reaching us while the moon lays its light across the land. IN THE NIGHT by Janelle Wawia. 24x12x2, Acrylic & Ink on canvas, 2014. AVAILABLE
#inthenight#LifeInTheBush #janellewawia

SOLD and loved in its new home. Where You From? A self-portrait by Janelle Wawia
36 in. x 36 in. x 2 in #bushlife #northernontario #anishinaabe #beadwork #janellewawia #selfportrait

I pull up, hop out, air out, made it look sexy/They won’t take me out my element 🤘🏼 #nocomparing #bushlife #trapline #landback #getit #getoutside #fuuuukyess #wearestillhere #trapping

🖤 I wear many bundles.
Artist. Mom. Psychotherapist. Trapper.
Some days, they uplift me. Some days, I need to set them down.

Each path holds medicine. Each role teaches me something different.
But I’m learning that I don’t have to always carry them all.
Rest is sacred too. So is simply being.

Grateful for the mess, the stillness, the flow, and the gifts.
Read the full reflection on the blog now. 🌿

🔗 [link in bio] visit the website, click on menu and click on Blog
#JanelleWawia #IndigenousVoices #HealingJourney #LifeInTheNorth #BushLife #CreativeMedicine #LandBasedHealing

Men and women’s beaver fur gauntlets lined with real sheepskin and with an elk hide leather palm. Check out the website for pricing. Winter and colder months will be here soon! Place your order today - made to custom order. #gauntlets #beaver #beaverfur #leather #furmitts #custommade

SOLD. Take Me to the Medicine by Janelle Wawia. Acrylic on canvas, 24x36 inches NO LONGER AVAILABLE check out my website, link in bio!!!! #janellewawia

Traplines by Janelle Wawia, acrylic on canvas 24x24x1.75 inches AVAILABLE check out the link in my bio!!! #traplines #trapline #iykyk

SOLD Cedar Bath by Janelle Wawia, acrylic and ink on canvas, 18x24x1.75 inches NFS NOT AVAILABLE link in bio!!! ✨🌿 Cedar Bath 🌿✨
In the stillness, she rests.
Wrapped in cedar, held by stars,
the medicines of the land wash over her—
cleansing, protecting, renewing.
A reminder that healing is found
where the earth and sky meet within us.

#CedarBath #WAWIA #HealingThroughArt #SacredMedicine #IndigenousArt

We The People by Janelle Wawia. Framed print, 17.5 x 17.5 inches. Available. Check out the link in bio!!!

Dyed and raw porcupine quills now on the website! Harvested ethically (road kill) and harvested with my niece. Dyed quills done on the trapline, on the propane stove. Link in bio!! #porcupinequills #quills #bushlife

Rooted in elegance, shaped by tradition. ✨

Introducing our Spruce Root Teardrop Earrings — a luxurious statement grounded in the land and elevated by intention. Each pair is hand-harvested and delicately shaped from natural spruce root, wrapped in soft smoked elk hide, and finished with precision hardware.

Minimalist. Timeless. Sacred.

These earrings carry the spirit of the forest — where resilience and beauty grow together.

🔸 Limited pairs available
🔸 Sustainably gathered, handwoven with care
🔸 A rare fusion of natural form and high-end design

Wear a story. Own the land’s luxury.

#SpruceRootElegance #LuxuryFromTheLand #IndigenousDesign #SlowFashion #JanelleWawia #RootedInTradition #WearYourStory #NativeLuxury #ForestToFashion #SustainableAdornment
#jewellery #nwontario #Anishinaabekwe #spruceroot #indigenousfashion #indigenousmade #janellewawia #earrings #accessories #accessorize #handmade #youneedthese

The land raised me. The trapline shaped me. The stories stitched into fur, paint, and beads — that’s where I come alive.

I just launched my official blog on janellewawia.com, a space where all my worlds meet: fashion, fur, art, healing, and life in the bush.

This first post is a personal invitation — to walk with me, learn with me, and feel the fire behind every creation.

🖤 Read it now: link in bio!!!
#IndigenousArtist #FurFashion #OjibweArt #BeadworkStories #BushLife #janellewawia

Niimaama by Janelle Wawia. 16x20 Acrylic on canvas board. NFS.

She is the heart of the land and the keeper of wisdom.
A mother bear—each shape a memory, each hue a teaching.
She holds presence without words,
offering protection, love, and quiet strength.

Below her, three small bears walk across the earth—
her children, her legacy.
They are guided by her spirit,
rooted in her footsteps,
surrounded by florals that speak of growth, healing, and kinship.

“Niimaama” means my mother in Anishinaabemowin.
She represents the sacred role of matriarchs—
the ones who carry generations forward,
who teach us how to survive,
and remind us how to love.

This painting was born from my life in the bush,
raised by powerful women, and held close by the land.
It’s a thank you—to all mothers, aunties, kokums, and caretakers—
who move like the bear: strong, tender, and timeless.
Original painting by Janelle Wawia
#Niimaama #WawiaArt #IndigenousArtist #AnishinaabeArt #BearClan #MatriarchEnergy #MotherBear #OjibweArtist #BushRaised #LandBasedHealing #IndigenousArtMatters #ColourWithMeaning #StoryThroughPaint

Life in the bush has shaped me in ways that words can only begin to explain. Out here, surrounded by trees, water, and silence, I witness the raw beauty of the land every day. I’ve seen lynx cross my path with quiet grace, and watched moose wander through the trees, as if time doesn’t exist. We clean up the roads, tend to the trapline, and take care of the land in all kinds of ways—because it takes care of us in return.

This life is built on hard work, respect, and connection. It’s not always easy, but it’s always honest.

I spend as much time as I can with my dad—my teacher, my protector, my example of strength. He’s beat cancer twice and now lives with Parkinson’s. No matter what life brings, he moves forward with resilience. Being with him on the land, watching him work, listening to his stories—that time is sacred. Every moment is a gift. My uncle spends a lot of time with him on the trap line too.

I look around and see how rich my life truly is—not in material things, but in the land that holds me, the family that surrounds me, and the values that ground me. The bush gave me roots, gave me purpose, and gave me a way of seeing the world that I carry everywhere I go. I was raised in the bush, and because of that, I carry something strong and beautiful inside me. Always.

Introducing the Dump Bear 🐻✨NFS
Each of these hand-beaded bear earrings tells a story of resilience, instinct, and raw beauty. The Dump Bear is inspired by those quiet yet powerful encounters with bears in the bush—especially near the dump, where wild meets human edge.

Meticulously beaded in shades of green, black, and earth tones, these bears reflect the forest floor and the shimmer found in unexpected places. A tribute to the resourceful spirit of the land and all who live in sync with it.

🌲 Due to high demand, I’ll be creating a limited collection of Bears. See a past bear in the last slide NFS.

🐻 Countdown begins…
A variety of bears are on the way.

✨ Follow along for sneak peeks and process shots.
🧵 Handcrafted with love and land in mind.

#DumpBear #BeadedEarrings #IndigenousArt #BushLife #LandBasedArt #OjibweStyle #WearableStories #janellewawia

SOLD. LAY ME DOWN by Janelle Wawia Acrylic on canvas, 20 x 20 x 2 inches

SOLD. Going to its new home ❤️ Ancestors by Janelle Wawia 24x30x2 inches. Acrylic on canvas

SOLD. I see Myself on the Land by Janelle Wawia 24x30 Acrylic and ink on canvas

Fun this morning with procreate. #strawberries #strawberry #easysaturdays

Some large blueberry earrings NFS just sharing ❤️ #bluberries #blueberryearrings #beads #blueberry #beading

Walking with Aanikoobijiganag #faces #ancestors

My love for the bush life runs deep—it’s in my bones, in my spirit. Out there, surrounded by the land, everything makes sense. The bush teaches patience, respect, and resilience. It’s where the air is thick with the scent of spruce and cedar, where the rhythm of life slows down and becomes real. I find peace in the quiet, strength in the stillness, and freedom in the wild.

Whether I’m out trapping, gathering medicines, or simply walking among the trees, I feel connected—not just to nature, but to my ancestors, to the old ways, and to myself. The bush isn’t just a backdrop to my life; it is life. It holds stories, memories, and wisdom that can’t be found anywhere else.

In the bush, I remember who I am. And every time I return, it welcomes me home.

My love for the bush life is rooted in generations of knowledge, stories, and survival. I was raised to understand that the land isn’t just where we live—it’s who we are. Out in the bush, especially on my ancestral territory, everything feels aligned. The trees, the animals, the rivers—they all speak, if you know how to listen.

I find deep purpose in the work I do out there—trapping, harvesting medicines, walking old trails my ancestors once traveled. The land teaches in ways books never could. It shows you how to live with humility, gratitude, and strength. Every sound, every scent carries memory and meaning.

It’s a life of rhythm, respect, and reconnection. The more time I spend out there, the more I understand myself—not just as a person, but as part of something bigger. The bush doesn’t just provide—it restores. It grounds me in my culture, my purpose, and my spirit. Let the snow melt..

Bringing back the ORIGINAL We Are Still Here tank tops for this summer! Can’t wait. You’ve asked for them!!! Stay tuned!!! #wearestillhere #nindayaaminomaagayaabi #summertanktops

I ❤️ BEADING!!!! #beading #beads #beadedearrings #design #blueberries #bigearrings #teaandbeading

What do you do with leather scraps? Picked up this combination of textures, patterns, and colours for some new fashion accessories. The contrast between matte and glossy finishes show the luxurious appeal of this tiny collection. #createalways #upcyclefashion #janellewawia

These furrier knives and other specialized instruments were designed to handle delicate pelts without damaging the fur, ensuring precision in cutting and stitching. My collection includes mid-20th-century British furrier knives used in the fine art of fur tailoring. These tools are essential for creating luxury fur coats, hats, and accessories, and they reflect a time when skilled craftsmanship was highly valued in the fur industry.

#furrierstools #furrierslife #furfurfur #furrier #mystash #craftsmanship #furfashion #furtrappers #canadianfur #furriersskills #bushlife

Productive day cutting fabrics and pattern making. #motivated #fashion #fashiontings #fabric #whatafunday #beyourself #fashiondesign #sneekpeak #alwayslearning #igotme

Floral by Janelle Wawia. NFS. JUST SHARING. CAN’T WAIT TO SEE THIS FLORAL ON YOU BOTH!! ❤️❤️#blackline #tattoo #drawing #floral #anishinaabe #blacklinetatoo #janellewawia

NFS. MENS XL BEAVER FUR GAUNTLETS. #beaverfur #handmade #sheepshearling #custom #fur

Hello, Boozhoo to all my new followers and to these who continue to support me and those who keep an eye out!

I’m Janelle Wawia! A mom, an artist, trapper, fashion designer, and psychotherapist, blending creativity, tradition, and healing into everything I do. My artistic journey is deeply rooted in my love for nature, and my life growing up in the bush and on the Rez, culture, and self-expression. Whether crafting unique fashion pieces, designing intricate jewelry, or working on my latest fur or art endeavours, my work reflects a balance of rugged authenticity and refined elegance.

At the moment, I’m working hard to fulfill custom orders, though I’m a bit behind. I appreciate your patience and support as I put my heart into each piece—it’ll be worth the wait!

Exciting things are on the horizon, including more custom creations and upcoming fashion events where I’ll be showcasing fresh designs. Stay tuned for what’s next, and thank you for being part of this journey with me! 💋❤️ Miigwech

Remembering KITCHITWAA AKI @indigenousfashionart Mohawk Fur Hood and Leather and Wool Jacket by JANELLE WAWIA. #janellewawia #wearestillhere #fashion #indigenous #indigenousart #fur #landback #indigenousfashion #furfashion #fromtheland #bushlife #anishinaabe #furnorth #indigenousmodels #boldfashion #foxfur #leather #fashionphotoshoot #trapline #realfur #anishinaabe #getoutside #iamaboss #sustainableluxury #fashionforward #design #innovativefashion

Notebooks are in!!! Art by Janelle Wawia. They are awesome and I hope you’ll love it for doodling, notes, lists, journaling and much more!! Link in Bio. Online at janellewawia.com/shop

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Workshops

Painting Class - Coming Soon!
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Fish Skin Tanning - Coming Soon!
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Upcoming Events

Signature Products

Our Artistic Roots Blossom

Janelle Wawia's journey is a mesmerizing blend of creativity and heritage. Each piece of art, every garment, and all products are crafted with a purpose - to connect with nature's essence. Our vision is to share the beauty of the land through unique handmade creations, enriching lives with art straight from the heart of the earth. We also strive to reach every price point that reflects all of our customers.

JANELLE WAWIA

From the Land to the Wardrobe

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Follow us on Instagram

Workshops

Painting Class - Coming Soon!

Hide Tanning

Fish Skin Tanning - Coming Soon!

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

Signature Products

Our Artistic Roots Blossom