Vivian Helliwell
Vivian is a nêhiyaw-iskwêw (Cree woman) belonging to the wahpemakwa (Whitebear) First Nations situated in Treaty 4 Territory in southeast Saskatchewan.
Apprenticed by another skilled artisan, Vivian left designing in the mid nineties to become a foster parent.
Returning full time to her love of Jewelery designing in April of 2010 when she attracted the attention of the Saskatchewan Arts Council and nationally recognized Indigenous fasion designers.
Vivian's unique designs were introduced internationally in both Sweden and Germany, where they were received with much enthusiasm.
Unfortunately, she again left jewelery designing when tragedy struck her family in 2017 and again in 2021.
A tremendously strong woman of faith, of her designs she wrote in 1996:
"Life is full of cycles
- of rain and shine,
- of warm and cold;
My designs reflect these cycles
to remind the wearer,
that no matter how dark the days,
the Sun will rise again.
True to her strong faith and philosophy in life, she has once again triumphantly emerged in 2024, to once again produce designs that delight and inspire.
