Tanis Simpson/Qiviut Inc.

Nisku, AB

Textiles & Weaving

Tanis ‘Akutuq’ Simpson is an Inuvialuk fibre worker and qiviut mill operator originally from Sachs Harbour and Inuvik, Northwest Territories. In 2019, she and her brother Bradley ‘Oukpak’ Carpenter purchased a set of vintage fibre mill machines from a closing-down business in Alaska. They then founded Qiviut Inc., a 100% Inuit-owned, family-run fibre mill processing qiviut from sustainably harvested NWT muskoxen. Based in Nisku, Alberta, the small but skilled team at Qiviut Inc. produces high-quality qiviut yarns, knitwear, and hand warmers; offers mill tours and workshops; and sells handcrafted goods on behalf of Inuit artists.