What is Ohtisii?
Ohtisii was launched in 2023 with a handful of earring designs directly inspired by beading of Molly Apsassin. Today, Ohtisii is an emerging lifestyle and luxury brand dedicated to crafting truly unique and elevated products. We are an artistic exploration of old and new, of diverse natural elements, and of innovative story telling.
These elements define our guiding principles - and how we approach re-imagining everything around us.
First Steps
We started selling at local markets in Edmonton - talking directly with people who were close and cared about what we cared about. In time, we found our people - and we found the time to share as well as listen.
The stories, the journies involved - they’re all very real. They are so very empowering.
The Dane-zaa
Our people are the Dane-zaa. We have been called multiple things, including the Beaver people, the Tsʼibe̱ Danéʔ (muskeg people), and more. We have lived east of the Northern Rockies, including around present day Fort St. John, since beyond memory. Archaeological evidence at Charlie Lake, BC, is among the oldest evidence of human habitation on this continent.
Our oral tradition tells us this with stories of living among, surviving against, and living off giant animals. Megafauna.
We have lived here for 10,000+ years.
Our culture is unique. To the east, we are delineated by the Cree. To the west, the Rocky Mountains. We are people of dreams, of songs, of prophets.
Dreams are said to be a connection to the spirit world - to the past, present, and future. The dreamers knew how to navigate, speak with, and understand this connection to foresee the future. The dreamers brought back their dream journeys as prophecies and learnings through songs. The first dreamer was Makenunatane (he who walks around the world) who foresaw the coming of Europeans. The last dreamer was Charlie Yahey.
We have no more dreamers.
