Tufting Art, drum making/painting by Derrick Hewitt

Tufting is the art of tying small strips of moose and caribou hair onto a background to a desired pattern or shape.

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Tufting is an art done by the natives of the western Arctic and NorthWest Territories. Today it is a dying art and only a small number of natives are making Tuftings. Most Tufting designs are flowers and the hair is dyed by using gin pills, crepe paper and powdered dyes. The patterns are made by dipping a toothpick in a paste made from flour and water.

The moose hair must be prepared by picking it from the hide, cleaning and sorting the long winter hair by hand. The long winter caribou hair is prepared by cleaning and cut into strips as needed. Rabbit sinew along with needles made from small bone were used by native artists to sew the hair onto their garments. Today’s artists use metal needles instead of bone and dental floss rather than sinew.

Derrick Hewitt learned this art from Duncan Chisholm, who was stationed with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Fort McPherson, NWT. Fort McPherson is located above the Arctic Circle and is a community of about 800 people. Mary Firth Sr., a former band chief of the Loucheaux, was the only person in the community who did this artwork, she taught Duncan, who taught Derrick Hewitt.

Today’s Tufting is a rare art, mostly consisting of flowers. Derrick Hewitt is one of five artists known in the world that does mostly scenes, but he will do flowers. Derrick rarely uses dye, preferring the more  natural look. 

As a Mi’kmaq of Newfoundland, Derrick Hewitt appreciated learning the native art and is ensuring that the art form is being passed down by teaching it to others in hopes to keep it alive.  Derrick also hopes that those who purchase Tuftings will gain an appreciation and admiration for the Native culture and traditions here in Canada.