Yolonda (Loni) Skelton is a Textile Artist from the Gitxsan Nation and the House of Hax-be-gwoo-txw of the Fireweed Clan. Her traditional name is (Sug-ii-t Looks) and it is the name of her company which means "When the Whales Crest." Her fashion designs are inspired and created from traditional oral stories told to her by her late maternal grandmother Lily Jackson (Na-gwa).
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Since 2001, she has been creating numerous one of a kind textile projects for clients from; traditional ceremonial dance blankets and regalia, to contemporary clothing and accessories.
For the past few years Yolonda’s focus has been on developing her own North Coast design style, she was mentored in Prince Rupert by Tsimshian artist Russell Mathers and at the knee of her uncle Haida Argillite Carver Tom Hans. She has been studying textile design at the Pacific Design Academy in Victoria.
Her focus is on building her skills in North Coast Design and the art of 3-dimensional appliqué technique; and applying these two mediums to various traditional and contemporary fashion items. This is where she is able to combine the aesthetic beauty of her culture with her love of fashion. Her speciality is in creating one of a kind modern day robes of power and functional art for people of all nations.
One day she hopes to be able to complete a historical recounting of Gitxsan Adawak (history) through traditional images appliquéd on a series of ceremonial blankets.
By doing this cultures will be strengthened; private cultural property rights will be recognized; teachings will be shared to benefit all and indigenous knowledge based on oral tradition will gain a more respected place in our contemporary world.