Gizhiigin Arts Incubator

Born and raised in the White Earth Nation, Clyde and Kent Estey grew up in a family where black ash basketry, beading, sewing and birch bark artistry were everyday occurrences. Both artists live in the Naytahwaush community. These artists will collaborate on a work reflective of their shared artistic upbringing.

Clyde Estey Jr. is a third-generation basket maker carrying forward the Ojibwe tradition of Black Ash basketry.

Kent Estey’s preferred artform is painting on canvas and he lives in the Naytahwaush community.

“I want people to have their own interpretation of art. It can tell a story of who we are and what we represent and what we believe,” Kent said.

“I’m a third-generation basket maker,” Clyde said. “I learned from my dad. He fell ill, he got cancer and that made me want to learn all I could because all the elderly ladies that used to do it are no longer with us.”