Bringing My Livelihood to Your Fingertips

From Metlakatla, Ts'msyen La̱xyuup (land), where Alaska's only Native Reserve resides, Gumboot Creations uses tradition and innovation to provide collectors and muu (earring) collectors with timeless creations harvested from and inspired by the land and water.

Wayi, ła gwelga lak,

The fire is already burning, this is how I greet you, a visitor of my page; it means that everything is ready for your arrival.

Tazia [tay-zhuh] W'ally Sthaathi Tá di waayu, Tsm'syenu dihl Łingítu dihl Kaigani Xaadasu, Niisk'iyaa Laxgibuu di pteegu, su Maxłaxaała di wil waatgu.

My name is Tazia W'ally Sthaathi Tá, I am Ts’msyen, Łingít, and Kaigani Xaadas, my crest is the Niisk’iyaa wolf clan of the Gitzaxłaał, one of nine Allied Tribes of Lax Kw’alaams, within the Ecstall watershed near Port Simpson, B.C., Canada. I am the granddaughter
of the Saanya Kwáan Teikweidí Xóots Koowu Hít through my yaya, Louie Wagner, Jr., and the great granddaughter of the Yaghuulaanaas/juunáas of Hydaburg through my late maternal great grandfather, Don Newman, and great
granddaughter of the Sheet’ká Kwáan Kaagwaantaan Kóok Hít through my late paternal great grandfather, Henry Littlefield, and I am from New Metlakatla, Alaska.

My maternal grandparents taught me oral histories of their way of life, experience, and traditional worldviews. My art and jewelry are inspired by my agwints'i'its' (great-grandmother's) creations and my love for the land and water. 

  • Su Maxłaxaała, AK

  • My yaya (grandfather) in October 1995 with Su Maxłaxaała (New Metlakatla) in the background, Su Maxłaxaała is on Annette Island, Ts'msyen La̱xyuup, and is Alaska's only Native Reserve.

  • Sa̱xdoo

  • We love the time to harvest seaweed, 'yaanst (gumboots), bḻhaa (abalone) and laxsüülda gangapa (beach asparagus). Every part of the 'yaanst is used for food and jewelry.

  • Connecting old roots to new

  • Utilizing tradition to create new ideas. I believe through my creations that I am able to reconnect to my culture and g̱a̱nyeetk (ancestors), as well as make a connection with my agwints'i'its (great-grandmother) who passed before I was born, I was told stories of the many things she created throughout her life.

  • Sityaaw - Reciprocity

  • I was taught to always share what we harvest with community, here I am learning firsthand my family sharing our ha'limootk (savior fish, ooligan) with our communities in Su Maxłaxaała, Kichx̱áan (Ketchikan), and Taan (Prince of Wales Is).

  • G̱a̱muu a̱naas üüla

  • My seal pelt earrings, which you read in the heading in Sm'algya̱x, is harvested with grateful intentions towards the üüla. Every part of the üüla is used and nothing is ever wasted, as is the way of harvest.

Su Maxłaxaała, AK

My yaya (grandfather) in October 1995 with Su Maxłaxaała (New Metlakatla) in the background, Su Maxłaxaała is on Annette Island, Ts'msyen La̱xyuup, and is Alaska's only Native Reserve.

Sa̱xdoo

We love the time to harvest seaweed, 'yaanst (gumboots), bḻhaa (abalone) and laxsüülda gangapa (beach asparagus). Every part of the 'yaanst is used for food and jewelry.

Connecting old roots to new

Utilizing tradition to create new ideas. I believe through my creations that I am able to reconnect to my culture and g̱a̱nyeetk (ancestors), as well as make a connection with my agwints'i'its (great-grandmother) who passed before I was born, I was told stories of the many things she created throughout her life.

Sityaaw - Reciprocity

I was taught to always share what we harvest with community, here I am learning firsthand my family sharing our ha'limootk (savior fish, ooligan) with our communities in Su Maxłaxaała, Kichx̱áan (Ketchikan), and Taan (Prince of Wales Is).

G̱a̱muu a̱naas üüla

My seal pelt earrings, which you read in the heading in Sm'algya̱x, is harvested with grateful intentions towards the üüla. Every part of the üüla is used and nothing is ever wasted, as is the way of harvest.