Deb Enoch

Deb Enoch iBead with Deb E Website: https://sites.google.com/view/ibeadwithdebe/home

For Deb Enoch, the founder of "I Bead With Deb E," beading isn't just a craft; it's a lifelong connection to her heritage and family. With skills passed down from her mother and grandmother, Deb has been creating intricate beadwork since she was a young girl. Today, this deep-rooted tradition forms the heart of her business, where she masterfully combines beadwork and leatherwork to create stunning, culturally rich pieces. Deb's ancestry is Northern Tutchone and Upper Tanana, and she is a proud member of the White River First Nation. Her early years were spent in Snag with her adopted parents, Jimmy and Lena Enoch, before moving to Burwash Landing for elementary school. It was here, constantly surrounded by her mother, grandmother, aunts, and other women in the community sewing, that the seeds of her artistry were sown. These formative experiences instilled in her a profound appreciation for traditional crafts. Now residing in Whitehorse, Deb embraced her passion for sewing and beadwork with renewed vigor after retiring from Northwestel in 2021. This new chapter saw her join the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre sewing group, a vibrant community where she has collaborated on significant projects. Her contributions include crafting the Yukon Quest Dog Blanket, a podium banner for the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre, Yukon Quest patches, and, most recently, the "Northern Winter Traditions" banner. These projects not only showcase her skill but also her commitment to community and cultural expression. The decision to formalize her passion into a business came after participating in the Aboriginal Business Entrepreneurship Skills Training (BEST) program, which she attended via Zoom. This training equipped her with the necessary skills to launch "I Bead With Deb E."

Her business embodies the philosophy of "loving and learning traditional beading, one bead at a time." Deb’s creations beautifully merge traditional practices with modern imagery. She skillfully works with a variety of hides to craft moccasins, a testament to her diverse talents in leatherwork. Her repertoire extends to exquisite earrings and other unique items, each piece reflecting her dedication and the rich cultural narrative of her people. Through "I Bead With Deb E," Deb Enoch not only creates beautiful, wearable art but also carries forward a precious legacy. Her work is a vibrant celebration of Indigenous artistry, a bridge between generations, and an inspiring example of how lifelong passion can blossom into a meaningful entrepreneurial journey. Of the BEST program, Deb says, “Taking this program has helped me learn the steps for creating a business. Along the way, I have met wonderful people across Canada and one in Mexico! If I ever travel in their city or town I would love to go for coffee with them. Taking this program has helped me learn the steps for creating a business. Along the way, I have met wonderful people across Canada and one in Mexico! If I ever travel in their city or town I would love to go for coffee with them. The CCAE team work wonderfully together and are able to help us with our questions. I will recommend this program to family and friends who are looking to start their own business."