ApprenticeSearch.com | Native Clothing & Craft Artisan (296B)

Native Clothing & Craft Artisans design and make tailored clothes and associated crafts reflecting traditional native themes. They are familiar with mukluk/moccasin making, quill work art, moose/ caribou hair tufting and sculpting, fish scale art, birch bark baskets, and North American bead work.

Job Related Skills, Interests and Values

Using manual and artistic skills to design and produce ornamental or practical crafts including pottery, jewellery, rugs, blankets, and other handicrafts
Creating traditional musical instruments including stringed and percussions instruments (drums)
Discussing needs, sizes, and preferences with clients
Sketching and laying out designs, preparing patterns, and making garments or crafts
Working with a variety of fabrics and craft materials including moose/caribou hair, quill, birch bark, and soapstone
Safely using hand tools and power equipment to create products; using hand tools and woodworking machines to produce carvings from wood, stone, and other materials; carving ornamental designs into wooden furniture and other objects
Creating leather crafts including mukluks, mitts, and moccasins by selecting materials, designing or following a pattern, and ensuring products are finished to customer requirements
Learning and demonstrating knowledge of Native traditions, clothing, and crafts through designs, discussion with clients, and/or teaching patrons about Native traditions at a museum

What Preparation and Training Do You Need?

Secondary school diploma or equivalent with credits in math, English, and design
While not mandatory, completion of 4,000-hour apprenticeship program, including on-the-job and in-school training, is recommended

What's Your Future as a Native Clothing & Craft Artisan (296B)?

Often employed by shops or studios and work retail or business hours
Some may be self-employed with flexible hours
Deadline-driven role with opportunity to advance to supervisory position
Employers include specialty shops, cultural centres, and museums

Wage Rate

Apprentice wage increases with skill and experience. Fully qualified workers earn an average of $14.00 per hour.

Self-Rating

Native Clothing & Craft Artisan (296B)

Ask Yourself:	Yes	No
Do you have good manual dexterity, an eye for detail, and enjoy working with your hands/machinery?
Do you consider yourself a creative person?
Are you able to follow Health & Safety guidelines?
Are you interested in Native crafts and traditions?
Do you enjoy working and creating with a variety of products? Such as; wood, leather, fabrics.
Are you self-motivated? Can you work independently and accomplish your task?
Do you have excellent time-management skills? Are you an organized person?

If you checked YES to the majority of these questions, a career as a Native Clothing & Craft Artisan (296B) may be for you!

You might want to look at these similar trades as well;

Custom Tailor
Dressmaker
Furrier
Saddler
Designer
Instructor

What does a Native Clothing & Craft Artisan (296B) do?