What does a Native Clothing & Craft Artisan (296B) do?

Native Clothing & Crafts Artisans design and make tailored clothes and associated crafts reflecting traditional native themes. They are familiar with mukluk/moccasin making, quill work art, moose/ caribou hair tufting and sculpting, fish scale art, birch bark baskets, and North American bead work.

Job Related Skills, Interests and Values

  • Using manual and artistic skills to design and produce ornamental or practical crafts including pottery, jewellery, rugs, blankets, and other handicrafts
  • Creating traditional musical instruments including stringed and percussions instruments (drums)
  • Discussing needs, sizes, and preferences with clients
  • Sketching and laying out designs, preparing patterns, and making garments or crafts
  • Working with a variety of fabrics and craft materials including moose/caribou hair, quill, birch bark, and soapstone
  • Safely using hand tools and power equipment to create products; using hand tools and woodworking machines to produce carvings from wood, stone, and other materials; carving ornamental designs into wooden furniture and other objects
  • Creating leather crafts including mukluks, mitts, and moccasins by selecting materials, designing or following a pattern, and ensuring products are finished to customer requirements
  • Learning and demonstrating knowledge of Native traditions, clothing, and crafts through designs, discussion with clients, and/or teaching patrons about Native traditions at a museum

What Preparation and Training Do You Need?

  • Secondary school diploma or equivalent with credits in math, English, and design
  • While not mandatory, completion of 4,000-hour apprenticeship program, including on-the-job and in-school training, is recommended

What's Your Future as a Native Clothing & Craft Artisan (296B)?

  • Often employed by shops or studios and work retail or business hours
  • Some may be self-employed with flexible hours
  • Deadline-driven role with opportunity to advance to supervisory position
  • Employers include specialty shops, cultural centres, and museums

Wage Rate

Apprentice wage increases with skill and experience. Fully qualified workers earn an average of $14.00 per hour.

Self-Rating

Native Clothing & Craft Artisan (296B)

Ask Yourself: Yes No
Do you have good manual dexterity, an eye for detail, and enjoy working with your hands/machinery?
Do you consider yourself a creative person?
Are you able to follow Health & Safety guidelines?
Are you interested in Native crafts and traditions?
Do you enjoy working and creating with a variety of products? Such as; wood, leather, fabrics.
Are you self-motivated? Can you work independently and accomplish your task?
Do you have excellent time management? Are you an organized person?


If you checked YES to the majority of these questions, a career as an Native Clothing & Craft Artisan (296B) may be for you!

You might want to look at these similar trades as well;

  • Custom Tailor
  • Dressmaker
  • Furrier
  • Saddler
  • Designer
  • Instructor

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