My name is ƛ̓áqvas gḷ́w̓aqs, which loosely translates to ‘Copper Canoe Woman.’ My Goomishwa (English name) is Vina Brown. I grew up in unceded Haíłzaqv territory in so-called Bella Bella, British Columbia, and live on the Lummi reservation in Washington State; I’m a member of the Haíłzaqv Nation and am Nuučaan̓uɫ on my maternal side.
I am a weaver and beader. I first learned to bead, weave, and sew from my aunties and grandmothers and spent a lot of time immersed in the renaissance of the culture and art of ancestors, specifically the painting and carving of Northwest coast formline. My people are very creative and innovative artists!
Making art is my inherent right as an Indigenous human being. It’s part of my cultural continuation— I create to preserve the stories of my ancestors and family, and I’m proud to share that my work has been highlighted on the runways at New York Fashion Week, Santa Fe Indian Market Fashion Show, and Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week, and several local and Indigenous media outlets.
Mike Schjang Jr., brings his Hopi background to the collaborative artistic journey.
I want my customers to feel empowered when they wear my pieces, with the confidence to get through the day.
Coastal Formline meets Southwest art.
Earrings are designed and made in USA.
- Ovoid - Minimalistic crescent ovoid
- Salmon Ghost - This design was made to pay homage to the sacrifice of the ‘Salmon People and their return.
- Octopus Eye - Dedicated to the smart and determined Octopus relative. The Octopus Eye is an oceanic design inspired by the intelligence of the Octopus relative and their lessons
- Paddle Song - Paddle-shaped design dedicated to the continuation of glwa (canoe) culture
- Nuci - A design dedicated to Grandmother mooning when she is in her waning or waxing crescent stage.