Nancy Oakley

Nancy Oakley is a Mi’kmaw/Wampanoag artisan whose work is deeply rooted in tradition and collaboration with the land. Raised in Mashpee, Massachusetts, and now living in Eskasoni First Nation, Nancy creates pottery, beadwork, and basketry that honors her cultural heritage while inspiring modern audiences.

A graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Nancy’s artistic journey includes studying photography, ceramics, weaving, and jewelry-making at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. She seamlessly blends traditional Mi’kmaq embellishments such as black ash basketry, beadwork, carved hieroglyphics, and braided sweetgrass into her pottery, which is hand-shaped, stone-polished, and smoke-fired using natural materials like fir tips, seaweed, and sawdust.

Nancy’s artistry reflects a profound respect for Mother Earth, with clay harvested from the land and each piece imbued with stories of Mi’kmaq traditions. Her creations are displayed in galleries across Canada, featured in stores throughout Nova Scotia and Massachusetts, and celebrated at powwows and cultural events. As a mother of six and grandmother of four, Nancy shares her passion with her family, extending her legacy through her daughters, who are also accomplished artists.

Her achievements include the 2023 Indigenous Artist Recognition Award from Arts Nova Scotia and features in CTV News Atlantic and Support 4 Culture, which highlighted her revival of lost Mi’kmaq art forms through pottery.