Meet Herminia Zavala, Mizhuckii Ashiik/ Naazhkii Ashiik, from Treaty 3 Territory.
In 2022, this blog series was created to highlight Indigenous businesses from all Treaty Lands and Unceded Territories across Canada! Our goal is to uplift fellow creators & business owners; and create space for all. We’ve asked Herminia a few questions and we hope you enjoy getting to know her story!
- Denisse Peters, “Their Story” Creator & YBB Team
My name is Herminia Zavala and I love to create. I have always enjoyed expressing myself through art. Things really took a turn with the pandemic when I couldn't work my job as an Esthetician, so I was able to spend more time making things and learning new ways to create. I have always painted or drawn on paper, but I wanted to try something new.
I became interested in digital art and the thought of being able to bring all my supplies with me wherever I go. I did some research online, purchased a tablet and stylus pen then began watching YouTube videos to teach myself all I could about digital drawing.
Since I've opened my Instagram I have become a mother of a beautiful little girl and left my position as an Esthetician to pursue my dream of being an artist. I continue to post many of my drawings, some paintings and most recently a combination of bead work and painting.
I don't restrict myself to one art form and would love to learn more in the future. It all depends on how I am feeling in the moment. I love to learn new things and teach myself all I can about subject. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and I use the skills in my day to day life.
My art has been very helpful to me on my journey of healing and spirituality. It helps me express myself in ways words could never describe. I hope that through my creations I inspire people to be themselves, not be afraid of change and share their gifts with others, whatever they may be.
NAME OF YOUR BUSINESS, AND HOW LONG YOU’VE HAD IT FOR?
@Artby_HZ, 2 years
WHAT DO YOU MAKE, AND HOW DID YOU LEARN TO DO THAT ART FORM?
I create digital drawings, paintings and beaded earrings. I have always had a passion for creating things, but when Covid hit I really had time to put more focus on creating. I bought myself a tablet and stylus then taught myself through YouTube videos with lots and lots of patience. No matter what I'm creating I sketch out my idea and brainstorm from there.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PROJECT SO FAR?
So far my favorite piece would have to be a digital drawing I made into a painting that was also made into some earrings by another artist (@BellaLoveleeBeads on Instagram). It is an image of my daughter Hermosa and I. It was created a few months before she was born <3.
WHAT IS SOMETHING PEOPLE THINK OF WHEN THEY THINK OF YOUR TREATY TERRITORY?
The water and forest. Our area is full of beautiful lakes and forests that we enjoy all year long.
(Photo credit: Ontario's Sunset Country)
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WISH PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT YOUR LAND?
I wish more people were aware of the fact that residential schools took place in our own backyards. We still have people who are clueless or refuse to acknowledge what happened in our recent past. It still affects us and our families, but we are working hard to heal ourselves.
Wherever you reside, make an effort to understand its history and how it came to be.
(Photos from the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School courtesy of the Presbyterian Church in Canada Archives)
WHAT ARE SOME FUTURE GOALS YOU HAVE FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
I would love to make it full-time and continuously create new designs for prints, apparel and jewelry. I hope to create my own website at a point, have merchandise on hand and travel to set up shop in the future.
WHERE CAN PEOPLE FOLLOW YOU/SUPPORT YOU/BUY FROM YOU?
HOW DO YOU SAY “HELLO” AND “GOODBYE” IN YOUR LANGUAGE?
"Boozhoo" and "Agawaaba min miinawa" meaning "I'll see you again". We have no word for goodbye. The word goodbye is so final. We are never truly gone in this life or the next, I will see you again.
Thank you Herminia for sharing your story with our community!
