Frei Njootli is a member of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, living in Old Crow in the Yukon. Their approach is based primarily on performance and on sound, but it also includes textile art. Deciding what to show or not show is something the artist thinks about very deeply. While they do exhibit their work, some objects are intended to remain within the community or in the hands of an individual or, perhaps, dedicated to the forest. Through creating contemporary works of art relevant to today’s indigenous society, Jeneen Frei Njootli rejects the stereotypical images of First Nations communities so often depicted through the colonial gaze.

Being Ski-Doo leads us into the depths of a forest for a bird’s eye view of life in the Yukon’s Vuntut National Park. The artist has filmed a number of common activities – operating a sewing machine, sharpening a knife, riding a snowmobile through the woods and so on – authentic depictions of everyday life in the community. The fabric wrapped around the snowmobile in the film is similar to the decorative blankets worn by sled dogs. After conducting a number of research projects among the collections of various museums, the artist, along with other community members, designed these blankets. The images weave together the connection between the First Nations community of today and people from the past, highlighting their shared heritage.

Frei Njootli holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from Emily Carr University of Art + Design. In 2016, they received the William Meredith Saunderson Prize for Emerging Artists, awarded by The Hnatyshyn Foundation. Jeneen Frei Njootli was one of the founders of the ReMatriate Collective – a group that helps to improve the image of Indigenous women in the media. They are also part of the BUSH gallery.