Jonathon Wurtak

Born in Whitehorse in 1970, I have a real and close connection with this country.  Getting pulled away at a very young age wasn’t very good for me.  I never got a sense of who I was then.  Living with another’s culture had it’s advantages, but they were just not my own.  I had to come back to the Yukon at the age of nineteen, and spend a long time shaking so many notions of real life before I could start saying “Hi I am Tlingit”, or even a first nation.

Becoming an artist and carver is still another step in finding Me.  When I see, and participate in the culture I was far removed from, I have to say; I am truly blessed to be getting it back.  Enjoy my work as I enjoy my rebirth.

I can now, proudly say I am Teslin Tlingit, as my art comes from within me.  I have had no formal training.  No one has ever paid me to learn what I have come to love about my people.  I have gone to my elders stories and my peoples history to find my inspiration and spirit.  There are many more miles to walk in my journey.  I hope to hear and see all that my people were and are.