Our Legend & Story

The Creator of Gwich’in Luxury is deeply rooted in Gwich’in values:

Respect  / Yinji'khadhoh'ee –

Honor / Yinji'gwitchilee –

Love / Ch'it'agwiiniidhan –

Kindness / Zhookhadidich'uu –

Laughter / Ohglaa  –

Strength / T'aih –

Teaching / Ga'oonaatan –

Our Stories / Gwandak  –

Dance & Song / Oodzoo & Igidlii – Spirituality / Ch'anuh –

Sharing & Caring / Nihtatr'indaii Ts'at Nihk'atrinahtii–

Honesty & Fairness / Ch'igwijuu'ee Tr'igwindaii Ts'at Nihtat Gwit'agwj'ee Gehdanh

Our Creator now has 30 years experience beading & crafting & exploring various art forms. Cynthia decided to launch a digital space where Indigenous art enthusiasts could find and buy their favorite pieces. Since 2021, our Ecommerce Art Store has carried a varied selection, produced to the highest standard and offered at the most competitive prices. Check out our collection today.

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The Legend About Our Creator:

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The enchanting story of Gwich'in Luxury began when our creator told her children, that they are in fact descendant from Gwich'in Royalty, which was in fact part fairy tale & part history lesson. The story starts out, a long, long time ago, in a far, far away place that isn’t too far from where we live right now. It weaves a true tale about a resilient Grandmother, Laughing Annie Vittrekwa (Doe), (Cynthia’s maternal grandmother) who was the beautiful first wife of a Gwich'in Chief Malcolm Firth. Which means our artist is a Gwich'in Princess, and her sons would be Gwich'in Princes, all relatable to children who didn’t understand the term Chief, “he’s really like the King of the group, the leader, the main guy who helps guide and decide what’s best for his people. Very much like a King does for his country.

As an intergenerational  residential school survivor, Cynthia has found a unique way to connect her identy to her culture and strives to learn more adn share more each and every day. 

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The Creator of Gwich’in Luxury is deeply rooted in Gwich’in values:

Respect  / Yinji'khadhoh'ee –

Honor / Yinji'gwitchilee –

Love / Ch'it'agwiiniidhan –

Kindness / Zhookhadidich'uu –

Laughter / Ohglaa  –

Strength / T'aih –

Teaching / Ga'oonaatan –

Our Stories / Gwandak  –

Dance & Song / Oodzoo & Igidlii – Spirituality / Ch'anuh –

Sharing & Caring / Nihtatr'indaii Ts'at Nihk'atrinahtii–

Honesty & Fairness / Ch'igwijuu'ee Tr'igwindaii Ts'at Nihtat Gwit'agwj'ee Gehdanh

 

She seeks ways to share these values, while leaving behind a legacy of love for her children, and the world around through her art, which is where the name for her first product line for 2021 came from "Legacies of Love". 

This passionate and loving way that she goes about her lifestyle shines brightly on those around her. When Cynthia creates her art, no matter the project its truly a process of healing, and reflection, and the concentration of beading and the beauty of the finish piece truly reflects the love, positivity and healing prayers that go into each, and every project no matter how small or big. Which is what has inspired her to investigate offering beading classes be they online, or in person in small groups, contact us for more info on Bead Therapy Classes we have 1-1 options available for tourists passing through. Pre book drum making 2 weeks ahead to ensure supplies are here before your sessions. 

Our Traditional & Contemporary Artist was moved at a very young age by the cultural wealth and breathtaking beauty of handmade traditional crafts that were gifted & crafted with love by her Grandmother. Hypnotized by the smell of smoke in the tanned moose leather, that always went hand in hand with a pot of black tea on a stove top, next to the fragrant bowl of soup. Those brightly colored, cherished gifts later inspired her too also picked up needle & thread originally just to make and share crafts as gifts with her family & friends such as dream catchers, lighter holder, necklaces, earrings, traditional clothing, modern clothing with Indigenous beaded accents, purses.

At the young age of 6 Cynthia was fortunate enough to be blessed with the opportunities to bead in school, as well as learn to craft at home from her own mother. Growing up in the Yukon, she was mainly taught by the Nacho Nyak Dun elders while being raised in the Heart of the Yukon & the Stewart Valley; learning their traditional dances, language, and culture and taking it on as her own. Our Creator now has 30 years experience beading & crafting & exploring various art forms. Cynthia decided to launch a digital space where Indigenous art enthusiasts could find and buy their favorite pieces. Since 2021, our Ecommerce Art Store has carried a varied selection, produced to the highest standard and offered at the most competitive prices. Check out our collection today.

In summer 2023 Cynthia began to follow her life long dream of learning her Dinjii Zhuu Language that belongs to the "The Tetlit Gwich’in  from Fort McPherson, NWT. She was accepted into the ECE Mentor Apprentice Program, paired with Eleanor Mitchell-Firth, this passion has flowed into creating & writing Gwich'in poems, childrens books & learning resources so that she can share her endangered language with the world around her most specifically her family, children, friends & coworkers. 

Gwich’in Strong – We are warriors for those without voices. We are protectors for those without weapons. We are the keepers of the Earth, & the animals for today. We care for the land, plants & water for the children of tomorrow.

I believe always in a free Porcupine Caribou Heard

Gwich’in Nation – Gwich’in Strong

Mahsi / Thank You For Supporting My Indigenous Small Business

​This Indigenous Entrepreneur also runs  “Pure Romance by Cynthia Pavlovich” www.pureromance.com/cynthiapavlovich

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Learn more about Gwich’in Culture & People via the following links:

Gwich’in Tribal Council & Various Links:    https://www.gwichintribal.ca/

Gwich’in Language & Cultural Institute:  https://www.gwichin.ca/how-we-speak