Meet Priscilla
Priscilla is one the strongest and hardest working humans we know! She has been a collaborating artisan with Etkie since 2014 and continues to demonstrate her dedication to her artistry and Dine traditions. Priscilla raised three children as a single mother and prioritized sharing the art of loom beading with her children. She may appear quiet and reserved, but her humor will surprise you when you least expect it!
Meet Dru
After a severe car accident in 2008, Dru lost everything. But since joining Etkie, she has regained stability with both her living and transportation situations. A single mother, Dru raised two children while drawing strength from her Dine heritage. She learned beading from her grandmother, with whom she shared many years living together on the Navajo Reservation—some of her fondest memories are making fry bread over an open fire at sunset. Dru divides her time between Albuquerque and her home on the reservation, where she often helps elder family members by providing transportation to doctor’s appointments. Her resilience and dedication to both her craft and community are inspiring.Â
Meet Cal
Calvert is a talented beading artist who also learned from his mother and grandmother. He has experienced many paths in life and is one gentle human being with an acquired sense of humor he got from his mother (Priscilla!). Coming home to the Navajo reservation near Albuquerque and contracting with ETKIE allows Cal to create a schedule on his own terms and not have to face long drives to the city to earn a living. Calvert is always ready for a new learning experience. He is an excellent spokesperson and leader for the artisan team. He loves good road trips and bad movies!
Meet Dorothy
Dorothy has the most amazing ability to turn beads into magic. Her work is beautiful. Soft spoken and independent she lives on the Navajo Reservation far down the road with a rather harrowing dirt road leading up to her house. She is so petite we are lucky to see her head above the steering wheel in her 4 wheel drive vehicle. She has grown children and grandchildren and endless patience for life's adversities. Just this year she finally got plumbing in the house that was passed down to her over thirty years ago. She enjoys her time alone to work or to visit with her Navajo sisters and family. She is the first to agree to a social gathering and lunch on a patio.
Meet Valeen
Valeen is the mom to two young boys who keep her busy and happy! She enjoys working in collaboration with Etkie because it gives her the flexibility to put family first. She learned how to bead from her mother and grandmother, who live five-minutes away from her. If you couldn't tell from her outfit, she has a flair for style and loves all things pink and sequins. She is a strong role model for her family, community and her beading team at Etkie.
Meet Mike
Mike is a proud dad to two young boys and beads with Etkie because it allows him to stay connected to the land he loves. When he rolls up in his pickup and boots, it’s clear that ranching runs deep in his blood—he comes from a long line of ranchers and often lends a hand to his family. Mike’s connection to his heritage and the land makes his artistry even more meaningful, and Etkie gives him the flexibility to balance his work with his passion for family and ranch life.
Meet Tanya
Tanya has a full time job caring and loving her family and community. She is an experienced Dine loom beading artist having learned from her mother and grandmother. The alliance with ETKIE allows her to work from home and maintain her autonomy while prioritizing the needs of her family and traditional values. She and her husband are the first to load up the family car to attend school activities and sporting events for their children and extended family members. She is an avid supporter of education for Native American youth. Tanya has a particular knack for experimenting with colors and patterns and is always willing to share her creative side with the ETKIE team.Â
Meet Olivia
Olivia is a devoted mom to her adorable son and is deeply connected to her family. She’s been with Etkie for years, and her style is unmatched—she's the most fashion forward person on our team! She likes working with Etkie because allows her the flexibility to work around her family priorities, making it possible for her to balance motherhood with her passion for beadwork and art.
Meet Destiny
Destiny is reserved and quiet, finding peace in the simple joys of life. She loves being at home with her family, away from the hustle and bustle of Albuquerque. What makes her happiest is spending time outdoors with her animals and siblings, surrounded by nature. Her calm, grounded energy is reflected in her work at Etkie, where she focuses on her craft while prioritizing the things that matter most to her.
Meet SherriahÂ
Sherriah is full of energy and always has a smile on her face. A basketball enthusiast, she brings her lively spirit to everything she does. After graduating, Sherriah joined the ETKIE team because of her love for beading and she wanted to spend some time working from home with her sisters. But with her drive and enthusiasm, we know she’s just getting started, and we can't wait to see where her next chapter takes her!
Meet Lillian
Lillian has been a jewelry artist for decades, with a special love for beading. Alongside her own craft, she supports her husband in his silversmithing work, contributing to his jewelry collection. Etkie fits perfectly into Lillian’s busy life, allowing her the flexibility to care for her father and babysit her grandkids. With her vast experience and boundless energy, Lillian continues to inspire us all with her dedication to both her artistry and her family.
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