Catherine Blondin, Director

Catherine Blondin is a Shúhtaot’ı̨nę (Mountain Dene) artist, educator, and entrepreneur. With roots in Tulita, raised in Liidlii Kue, she has called Somba K'è (Yellowknife) home for the past three years. She is the founder of O’té Sews, an Indigenous art business established in 2020. Her artistic practice includes caribou hair tufting, beadwork, porcupine quillwork, and moosehide work, drawing on family, land, and Dene cultural knowledge. With a particular focus on caribou hair tufting, Catherine has developed an extensive body of work and shares her specialized knowledge through workshops, teaching, and mentorship, creating opportunities for others to learn and engage with Indigenous art practices.

Catherine holds a Bachelor of Arts in Native Studies and a Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education from the University of Alberta, as well as a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education from the University of British Columbia. She brings over 16 years of experience in education, including classroom teaching, program support, Indigenous Language and Culture education with the Government of the Northwest Territories, and work as an Indigenous Language and Culture Coordinator with the YK1 School District in Somba Ke. She has also worked as a Dene Kede Curriculum Consultant, supporting Indigenous curriculum development and early childhood education in northern communities. Her diverse educational experience reflects a commitment to culturally responsive learning, community engagement, and the meaningful integration of Indigenous knowledge into educational practice.

Since establishing O’té Sews, Catherine has built an active artistic practice, creating and selling original work, facilitating workshops, and sharing traditional and contemporary Indigenous art practices with diverse audiences. Her work and professional practice have taken her to events and markets including Crafted in Winnipeg, Indigenous Innovation and Technology Council gatherings in Montreal and Edmonton, and the Adäka Cultural Festival in Whitehorse. In 2026, her work was included in How I Survived, an exhibition touring the Northwest Territories. Her work was also shown in an exhibition entitled, Exchanges: A showcase of Indigenous fine crafts at La Guilde in Montreal. She was also nominated for the Emerging Craftsperson Award sponsored by Lexus in Early 2026.