ABOUT ME

Aanin, welcome to my site!

I'm Oksana Legault (she/her), the face behind Thirty Wolves Designs. I am an artist, predominantly focusing on beadwork. Art has been a huge part of my life ever since I can remember. Growing up I always had a case of crayons and paper nearby, later turning to acrylic and oil on canvas. My family is of Ojibwe, Métis, and French ancestry scattered across Northern Ontario. Mainly from the Temiskaming (New Liskeard) and Timmins area. 

Having a mixed identity paired with growing up in an urban setting displaced from my traditional territory and culture always left me wondering where I fit in. Throughout elementary and high school whenever people asked what my background was I would just say “French Canadian” because I didn’t know how else to put it. My family has been here for as long as I can trace back, but not having been told stories or immersed in the culture that is half of my identity left me unsure as to who I am. 

My inspiration to bead began in October 2019. I wanted to start learning about my families history and reconnect so that our culture won’t continue to get buried and lost. That the shame and brutality my ancestors survived through wouldn’t be just for me to blend into society. Beadwork is a symbol of a new beginning - combining my love for art and honouring my ancestors. I was taught how to bead through a moccasin workshop run through the Manitobah Mukluks Storyboot School, facilitated by Métis artist Justine Woods. Justine was an incredibly kind and patient teacher. It was through her teachings and guidance that made me fall in love with delicate art and practice of beadwork. 

Thirty Wolves Designs is a small business I created in September 2020. Having this platform has introduced me to so many people that have offered their knowledge and wisdom. I am especially grateful for this beading community because of not having many of my own family members that I can talk to who carry our cultural knowledge. Every day I am learning more. All of the beadwork you see on my site is handmade by myself on Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee territory (Hamilton, ON) where I was raised. 

Chi miigwech, merci, and thank you for taking the time to read and follow me on this journey to reconnecting. Grab a cup of tea, browse the site, and feel free to reach out to me!