Her Jingle Dress Perfect Mug by Sharifah Marsden

Statement of Respect and Authenticity

We believe that Indigenous artists should be treated fairly and with respect. Authenticity of art, design, and culture is the foundation of our mission of building everyday connection to Indigenous cultures.

Native Northwest products are guided by the following five principles:

• 100% of the art featured on every Native Northwest product is designed by Indigenous artists

• All artists have provided consent and contractual permission for their art to be featured on Native Northwest products

• Artist names are acknowledged on all product packaging

• Cultural traditions are honoured by acknowledging cultural affiliation on product packaging

• Artists are paid in fees and royalties

Sharifah Marsden is an Anishinaabe artist from the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation in Ontario. Drawing from her Anishinaabe roots and knowledge of the Woodland style of art, she creates diverse works including acrylic paintings, beadwork, prints, and silver jewellery.  

Since childhood, Marsden was encouraged towards a life in art and culture. Her mother, Laura Marsden, taught her Woodland-style painting from a young age, and she has been creating beadwork and pow wow regalia since 1990.  

In 2009, Marsden graduated from the Northwest Coast Jewellery Arts Program at the Native Education College in Vancouver under Haida/Kwakwaka'wakw artist Dan Wallace. She furthered her education at the Vancouver Metal Arts School, graduating in 2014 with formal training in European goldsmithing techniques, including hollow form design, soldering, and stone setting.  

Marsden has also been involved in public art, notably contributing to Western Canada's largest mural in Vancouver in 2010. She had her first solo exhibition in 2015 at Lattimer Gallery and a second in 2020 at C3 Creative Cultural Collaborations. Marsden continues to create and share her artistic knowledge through teaching. She currently lives and works in British Columbia but frequently visits her home communities in Ontario.