Brittney Ullulaq Porter is a Nettilingmiut Inuk who grew up in Yellowknife, NT, with family roots in Uqsuqtuuq (Gjoa Haven), NU. A jeweller who blends traditional and contemporary styles in her work—which includes earrings, rings, necklaces, qaurut headbands and hair clips—Porter finds connection to her cultural heritage through her creations, which she showcases under her brand, Sedna’s Jewels. Her artistic approach is distinctly feminine and dreamy, drawing inspiration from oceanic and goddess themes that pay homage to Sedna.
Influenced by seeing her sister create beaded bracelets for friends, in 2022 Porter began to experiment with jewelry making through trial, error and online tutorials. The focus on Sedna was inspired by her grandmother, the late Ledwina Porter, who created multiple wallhangings depicting the goddess, and Porter is also inspired by another artist who shares her name: the late sculptor Judas Ullulaq. “Much like him, I am artistic and like to craft by hand,” she says. [1] The process of designing and creating her jewellery has helped Porter feel more connected to her heritage, despite being located outside her traditional home. “Through my art, I’ve been on a journey of rediscovery and reclaiming that lost part of my identity,” she says. To deepen this connection, Porter makes a point of naming all her works in Inuktitut, and collaborated with an Inuk photographer, Melynda Ehaloak, to showcase the creations.
Her designs often incorporate traditional materials such as sealskin, gemstones and animal fur, presenting them in a modern context that resonates with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences, from pearls whose linear drop formation recalls the work of designers like Elsa Peretti or David Yurman, to depicting her work in photography replete with neon light effects. Porter views her artist practice as a therapeutic process, imbuing each piece with positive intentions. In her current range of handcrafted jewellery, she seeks to empower wearers by invoking the metaphysical qualities of gemstones in combination with Sedna's nurturing spirit. Her Tallimaat Pearl Hiutirutit (2023) drop earrings, for example, feature a string of five pearls bound together with metal links and topped by a fan shape, winking subtly at Sedna’s fish tail. “Sedna’s Jewels is about embracing the belief that everyone can embody the Mother of the Sea by channeling their inner beauty, power, and nurturing qualities,” she says.
Porter’s commitment to her craft and community has led her to participate in over 35 markets and events, notably at the Indigenous Expo Hall during K Days 2023, where she not only showcased her designs but also hosted two 15-minute fashion shows. In early 2024 Porter also taught a workshop at Edmonton’s Larga boarding house, where Indigenous patients who had travelled south to receive medical care were able to create their own pieces. Later that year, her business garnered significant attention when Inuvialuk model Willow Allen was pictured in her earrings. Looking ahead, Porter is focused on refining her skills and expanding her abilities, with plans to launch a dedicated website for Sedna’s Jewels to showcase her jewellery and explore more intricate designs. She wants to try new headband designs an fur earrings, with a goal of making more ”goddess-like” pieces. Long-term she hopes to attend school for jewellery design and learn how to sew garments. “I want to be fully immersed in the jewellery-designs-arts-fashion world,” she says. [2]
This Profile was made possible through support from RBC Emerging Artists.