Kaylyn Baker

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.