Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services

NNSL (Mar 15/99) - For the Dene people of the Deh Cho, this past Friday night will have been a remarkable night.

It will have been the night that John Kim Bell wore -- for the televised National Aboriginal Achievement Awards -- a vest and jacket made in a porcupine quill-work workshop in Fort Simpson last month.

Suzan Marie, of the Dene Cultural Institute, co-ordinated the workshop, where the vest and jacket were assembled and finished.

"They told me when he put on the jacket, it just fit," says Marie. "Everybody at the office (Kim Bell's) was talking about it."

For good reason. Porcupine quill-work is stunning. The infinitely detailed embroidery of the porcupine quills and the bright, intricate colouring are breathtaking.

The skill involved is another matter altogether. It isn't easy. And it's a tradition that has been slowly fading, as less and less women have taken it up.

As with the Babiche bag-making workshop Marie held before Christmas, this workshop was intended to save the traditional Dene skill from extinction.

"There were 21 participants," says Marie. "They were so eager, they didn't even stop for coffee breaks."

Marie adds the community was very involved and that teachers brought young people through. And one participant, Erica Menicoche, at 12 years old, was the youngest taking the workshop.

For Marie, having youth involved means the traditions have a chance of surviving, maybe even thriving.

Three elders, Sarah Hardisty, Caroline Bonnetrouge and Jane Grossetete led the workshop.

"In the Deh Cho there are only a few women that still work with quill. It takes a lot of patience and focus," says Marie

The women, who ranged in age from 12 to late 70s, came from all over the Deh Cho region to participate in the week-long workshop.

"Dene art is just beginning to get recognized. Because of the new territory, the whole world is looking at us right now. It's time to say -- we're here. We're using our natural materials. This is a reflection of who we are. This is our culture."

Marie notes that it was amazing to witness the focus, commitment and respect the women have when they're working. And that, she explains, is what it's all about.

The workshop was made possible with the help of the National Aboriginal Achievement Fund and the Department Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development.

"It was a very successful workshop," maintains Marie. "It was money well spent."

But just making art is not enough. The Dene Cultural Institute is also interested in making sure the art can be marketed and sold, that these women can make a living doing the work.

Hence the Business of Art conference to be held in Yellowknife March 24-26 at the Explorer Hotel.

The conference is intended to help develop skills in marketing and product development, as well as being an opportunity for artists and artisans to showcase their work.