Artist Information

Boozhoo, Cari nindizhinakaaz, Ajijaak nindoodem, Gaa-zagaskwaajimekaag Nindoonji'baa (Member 407C).

Hello, My name is Cari, I am from the Crane Clan, and I am a member of the Leech Lake Reservation (Member 407C).

Cari has been creating Ojibwe art most of her life. Her mother taught her how to bead on a loom when she was a little girl, she learned different art styles and techniques from watching her grandmother, aunts, cousins, and family friends work with birch bark, quills, beads, and leather. She went on to create artwork for many years, exploring different media, techniques, and styles. Cari learned how to incorporate color theory, structure and balance into her art from studying Graphic Design while in college. She went on to work as a Graphic and Web Designer for the next 20+ years. Cari studied under many distinguished Ojibwe teachers along the way including: Earl Nyholm, Josie Ryan, and most recently, Melvin Losh.

In addition to quill boxes, Cari creates quilled and beaded jewelry, beaded deer hide moccasins & mittens, bandolier bags, quilts, and more. She has exhibited her work at the annual Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition (where she won a 3rd place prize and an award of merit in Category 7: Textiles and Fiber), the Watermark Art Center in Bemidji, MN, and has several pieces in private collections. Cari was featured in the Winter 2021 edition of InBemidji Magazine. She has also taught several classes and demonstrated her quill techniques at local events.

Cari was raised in the Minneapolis Phillips Neighborhood and returned home to the Leech Lake Reservation in 1996 where she lives with her treasured husband and children.