Skylar Maguire is a Mi’kmaw artist, beadworker, and designer based in Glooscap First Nation, Nova Scotia. Through her business, Sacred Sky Designs, she creates original beadwork and polymer clay jewelry that reflects her cultural roots, creativity, and connection to the land. Skylar’s work is grounded in Mi’kmaw storytelling and traditional teachings, combining heritage and innovation through contemporary mediums.
Beadwork, for Skylar, is a deeply personal and cultural practice. Her designs carry traditional Mi’kmaw symbolism and incorporate patterns, colors, and stories passed down through generations. She honours the land by using sustainable materials and grounding her creative process in respect and mindfulness. Though polymer clay is not a traditional Mi’kmaw art form, Skylar infuses each piece with elements of nature and Mi’kmaw identity, bridging past and present in meaningful ways.
In addition to her artistic practice, Skylar is passionate about the Mi’kmaw language. She is both a speaker and learner, with a focus on grammar and linguistic structure. She also contributed to language preservation by helping to develop the first app for conjugating Mi’kmaw verbs—a valuable resource for language revitalization efforts.
“Beadwork is a powerful expression of Mi’kmaw storytelling and identity. Each design connects me to the land, my ancestors, and the teachings passed down through generations.” – Skylar
Traditional Skills
Mi’kmaw Language Speaker | Mi’kmaw Language Learner: focusing on grammar structure of the language | Mi’kmaw Linguist: programmed the first app to conjugate verbs in the Mi’kmaq language
Artist / Crafter: painting | Designer: beadwork and polymer clay jewelry
