Photo of Kaylyn Baker

Kaylyn Baker

Selkirk First Nation
Pelly Crossing

Literary Arts, Visual Arts, Beadwork, Fashion Design, Jewelry, Traditional Sewing, Traditional Fine Arts

Kushi Tlaa/Sanuwa – Kaylyn Baker is a Northern Tutchone and Tlingit woman of the Raven Clan and Citizen of Selkirk First Nation in Pelly Crossing, Yukon. Her Tlingit name Kushi Tlaaa means “Busy Mother” or “Playful Mother”. Her Northern Tutchone name Sanuwa means “Little Woman” because she was small as a child. She is a full-time multi-media artist working with both traditional and contemporary beadwork techniques. She uses a wide range of materials to create her original designs, translating her artistic vision into beautiful mukluks, moccasins, purses, and statement jewelry among many other things.

At a young age, Kaylyn developed a keen interest in visual arts including beadwork, painting, pottery and photography. In high school, she discovered creative writing, which she continues to pursue as an expression of her culture and ideas about the world around her. In 2020, Kaylin won a prestigious Canada Council for the Arts award to produce a multimedia installation combining her poetry with visual art, intermingling words and beadwork in imaginative and playful storylines.

Kaylyn’s online social media showcases her spectacular creations incorporating semi-precious stones, 24 karat gold beads, beads, caribou hair tufting and mixed textiles.

The Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association (YFNCT) is a non-profit, stakeholder-based organization that is committed to growing and promoting vibrant and sustainable arts/culture and tourism sectors.

Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association
1-1109 Front Street (White Pass Building)
Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A-5G4

Phone 867.667.7698

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