About Natasha Peter
My name is Natasha Peter, I am a single mother to a beautiful 4 year old baby girl who I’m proudly teaching her Dena ways. I am from Ross River, Yukon Canada and I am Kaska First Nation. I am a member of the Wolf Clan, I was raised on Kaska Lands and kaska ways. My family history line is kaska, southern Tutchone, Tlingit, and Scottish a long line of strong people, my Dena name is Dena’sqwella- which means moose-skin scrapper in Kaska Dena Language-also refers to “hard-worker”. My Dena name came from my great grandmother Mary Charlie’s grandmother on her fathers side of the family.
When I create, it comes from the place of honouring those that have taught me what I know to be true. The land heals us, nourishes us, inspires us; it is our home. To be inspired by the environment is to see the natural beauty it offers us and reflect its warmth, colours, and peace for us to appreciate once more.
About the Business
Kaska Dena Designs
I started Kaska Dena Designs as a hobby 7 years ago while I had attended college to upgrade my skills to become a nurse. During this time of life, I was in a dark spot of my life, I didn’t know where I was going or what my purpose was in life. I was fighting addictions at the time, a year had passed by, then two years and little did I know, my creations and Dena skills were healing me. So, when I had realised this- I stuck it out and continued creating. My sewing skills were taught from my elders, who are no longer alive today, and my grandparents who I cherish and admire are no longer alive.
I’m here carrying on their legacy and passing onto the next generation and showing them how important it is to keep our Dena ways alive and most importantly my daughter, she can also pass onto her children. My designs are traditionally handmade that are luxurious modernised – contemporary clothing and jewellery.
