During our recent Saltscapes fall expo last October, I was wandering around before the opening when a collection of finely crafted items under the name Conshay Designs caught my eye. Most featured sealskin. There were moccasins, jackets, vests, mittens, dainty keychains, bracelets, headbands, and more. They were gorgeous and exquisite, and the story behind them just as enchanting.
Conshay Designs is the brainchild of sisters Connie Canning and Shelly Boutilier. Both now live in Nova Scotia, but they originally come from the Happy Valley-Goose Bay area of Labrador, and are of Innu and Inuit heritage. Connie has always sewn and for some years did contract work for another business, mostly coats and boots. Then, synchronicity — a young woman saw a pair of sealskin boots Connie made for a relative out West, and also wanted a pair. Since then, Connie has been “pretty much full out busy.” Shelly joined her sister in the business about 18 months ago.
Connie does most of the garment making, while Shelly cuts out pieces for the clothing, and makes the smaller items including wallets, change purses, and keychains. They work together, usually at Connie’s house, and their 80-year-old mother, who lives with Shelly, often helps by labelling bags and generally (and proudly) supervising.
Inspired and encouraged by Roberta Hibbert of the Sewing Guild, where they get some of their fabrics and findings, the sisters got in touch with Robert Bernard of the Nova Scotia Indigenous Tourism Enterprise Network and joined the group of Indigenous artisans who were attending the Saltscapes show.
Sisters Shelly Boutilier and Connie Canning operate Conshay Designs.
The enthusiastic reception from attendees blew away the sisters. Not only did they sell out of much of their product, they chatted with countless people and answered scores of questions.
The seal skins they use are from Newfoundland and Labrador. Innu, Inuit, and other Indigenous hunters harvest them humanely as a food source, and with the skins going to use in clothing and accessories, nothing is wasted. Shelly says, “We always explain about the sealskin to customers and visitors, and we’re delighted to say we’ve had not one person complain about our work.”
Connie says the sisters love what they’re doing, and that they’re making a living while celebrating their Indigenous heritage and skills. “Sewing relaxes me, and this is a hobby that has turned into a job. It’s very satisfying to see the results at the end of the day, and to meet people and talk about what we do.”
Conshay Designs doesn’t yet have a retail outlet but has kept busy supplying several First Nations in Western Canada. They’re in the process of building a website, filling orders, and building up stock. Among the most popular items are the sealskin boots, with their coats a close second. “We are very proud to be able to share our work with everyone,” Shelly says. “And we’re honoured by the response we’ve been receiving.”
Meet each of the makers in our Made Right Here 2023 series in the video below