EDMONTON, AB | Alaynee’s quillwork, dentalium, traditional dolls, beadwork and parfleche paintings are among the most popular pieces that remain in private collections worldwide. Her work can be found at The Royal Alberta Museum, the Glenbow Museum, Alberta Foundation for the Arts Virtual Museum, Lois Hole Hospital for Women and the YWCA Hub Facility.
In 2018 she was asked to design a jewelry collection to accompany the exhibition “Art of Native America: The Charles and Valerie Diker Collection” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This was the first time Indigenous work has taken its place in the American wing of the MET. In 2020, The Field Museum in Chicago asked her to design a collection of jewelry to accompany their exhibition “Apsâalooke Women and Warriors.” Alaynee has an ever expanding clientele and has created custom pieces for leaders, dignitaries, celebrities, directors, actors, musicians and public figures. Alaynee’s pieces have been worn to events such as the 2021 Television Academy’s Creative Arts Emmy Awards and the 90th Annual Academy Awards. Her work has been featured in Instyle Magazine, Vogue, People Magazine, LA Magazine, NBC, Nike’s N7 Dare to Rise commercial and Spike Lee’s short film
“Be Truly Free”.
She is an advocate for truth-in-advertising and the prevention of Indigenous art exploitation and Indigenous Identity Fraud in the arts. Because of this, much of her work is only available in the USA as it is protected under the Department of the Interior “Indian Arts & Craft Act of 1990”.
In addition to being a jewelry designer, she is a mother, registered social worker, advocate and business owner.
During your next visit to the AGA, you may just get a chance to meet Alaynee! She is one of our talented Gallery Attendants.
Meet the Artist
Tansi/Hau Mitakuyapi,
My name is Alaynee Goodwill-Littlechild. I am the youngest daughter of Marvin and Patricia Littlechild. My mother is from Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada as well an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Nation in South Dakota, USA. My father is from the Neyaskweyahk Cree Nation in Maskwacis, Alberta, Canada.
I am an artist and designer registered in Treaty 4 and raised in Treaty 6. I have made my home in
Amiskwaciy-Wâskahikan (Edmonton, Alberta) for many years. I take great care in continuing the integrity of the Dakota/Lakota artistic practice and my work pays tribute to the history of my people, the relationship we have to the land and my lived experience.
Wopida,
Pejuta Wâca Win Tatanka Tawaci Was’te
