Sarah Hardisty facts for kids
Sarah Hardisty (1924–2014) was a respected Dene elder and a master of quillwork. The Dene are a group of Indigenous people who live in the northern parts of Canada. Quillwork is a special art form where artists use porcupine quills to decorate items. Sarah Hardisty was known for her amazing skills in this traditional craft.
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Early Life and Skills
Sarah Hardisty was born Sarah Sanguez on July 17, 1924. Her birthplace was the Jean Marie River community in the Dehcho Region of Canada's Northwest Territories. Her grandfather, Joseph Sanguez, was important in settling this community.
Sarah's family spent their summers in Jean Marie River and their winters at Fish Lake. She started learning to sew when she was just nine years old. By the time she was 12, she was skilled enough to prepare and tan a moosehide. This is a difficult process that turns animal hide into soft leather. Sarah did not go to school, but she earned money by selling traditional clothing and moccasins that she made by hand.
Family and Amazing Artwork
Sarah Sanguez married William Hardisty in 1941. Together, they had 12 children.
Sarah Hardisty was very talented in many traditional crafts. She worked with quillwork, beadwork, and embroidery. She was especially famous for her porcupine quillwork. Many people thought she was one of the best sewers in her area.
Her beautiful artwork was shown in a special exhibit in 1977. This exhibit, called Contemporary Art of Canada—the Western Subarctic, was held at the Royal Ontario Museum. In 1988, the Canadian Museum of History asked her to create a traditional outfit and gloves for their collection of Dene clothing.
Sharing Her Knowledge
Through the 1990s, Sarah Hardisty taught traditional craftwork at the local school. She wanted to make sure these important skills were passed on to younger generations.
In 1999, Sarah led a quillwork workshop in Fort Simpson. She worked with other artists, Jane Grossetete and Caroline Bonnetrouge, to teach others. In July 1999, she received an award from the Dene National Assembly. This award was given to her by NWT Commissioner Dan Marion.
Sarah also helped create the ceremonial Mace of the Northwest Territories. This mace is a special staff that shows the authority of the Legislative Assembly. She added her beautiful porcupine quillwork to its shaft. She also took part in the Open Sky Festivals in 2001 and 2002, sharing her art with more people.
Later Years and Lasting Impact
Around 2008, Sarah Hardisty was interviewed for Isuma TV, a media organization that shares Indigenous stories. In 2013, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. This medal was given to her by Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche to honor her contributions.
Sarah Hardisty passed away in Fort Simpson on February 9, 2014.
Her legacy lives on through her artwork. Moccasins made by Sarah Hardisty are part of the collection at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center also has dolls made by Hardisty. These dolls are dressed in traditional clothing, showing her amazing skill and cultural knowledge.
