about the artist
Background
Kaylyn Bernard was raised by her family in We’koqma’q First Nation - a Mi’kmaw community in Unama’ki, which means “land of the fog” (one of the seven districts of Mi’kma’ki). Like many L’nu’k (Mi’kmaq people), she was also raised within other Mi’kmaw communities by extended family, elders and friends. Learning about L’nu ways of living within community often spans across Mi’kma’ki.
Wetapeksit (“she descends from”) the Bernard, Gould, Googoo, Paul and Simon families. She also descends from the Walker, Beaton, MacDonald and Matchett families on her mother’s Celtic side. She carries a bloodline from the Carribean, where her Grammy’s father was from (possibly belonging to the Kuna people of Kuna Yala). Although she was primarily raised L’nu, Kaylyn embraces the vibrant blend of heritages that live within her spirit.
As a mother, she raises her children in her home community, teaching them about the values of her people, the language, the inherent roles we carry in this world, and encourages them to participate in the cultural and creative traditions around them.
Mukla'qati means “place where the geese land” (also known as Kelly's Mountain), not far from here lies the legendary Kluskap’s Cave, the sacred site of Mi’kmaw legend Kluskap.
Millbrook First Nation’s walking trail by their pow-wow grounds, during their 2022 annual mawiomi. The Mi’kmaw place name for Millbrook is We’kopekwitk meaning “as far as the water flows”.
Artistry
Kaylyn has been expressing her creative spirit since she was a young child, and is now a multidisciplinary artist, graphic designer and entrepreneur.
Kaylyn holds great value in honouring the same techniques and materials her ancestors worked with such as; birch bark, ash wood, porcupine quills, bone, fur, antler, stone and other natural resources. She comes from a family of entrepreneurs, artists, and basket makers. She is in the process of learning how to weave traditional Mi’kmaw baskets and quill boxes. She’s also been researching and exploring working with caribou tufting, fish leather and seal skin.
Aside from traditional materials she also enjoys working with contemporary art forms. She utilizes her skills in graphic design and illustration to create art for cabs, art prints, templates, patterns, stickers, decals, children’s books, language resources and more.
New logo reveal in 2023 for Kaylyn’s home community We’koqma’q Lnue’kati, the rebrand was a collaboration between Patuo’kn and Anchored Designs. We’koqma’q means “where the water ends”.
Career
Kaylyn is co-owner of Patuo’kn, a design and illustration business serving Mi’kma’ki and other Indigenous communities. After graduating with her certificate in Applied Media and Communication arts and her diploma in Graphic Design from NSCC, she and her sibling Kassidy decided to team up and start their own business together to help fill the gaps in accessing Indigenous designers who carry lived experience.
She lends her strengths to help visually enrich and support the amazing initiatives, programs, artisans and small business owners alike. Although Patuo’kn focuses on supporting local communities within Mi’kma’ki, they’ve also worked on nation wide and international projects. Kaylyn carries her L’nu values into her career, and enjoys making a positive impact in the communities she’s collaborated with.
West Mabou beach on the west coast of Unama’ki. There is history of Mi’kmaw settlements in Mabou (this name derives from the Mi’kmaw place name Mulapukek meaning “deeply gutted out”).
Sobriety
Kaylyn takes special care in making sure her works are created with good energy. She is a sober mother who has a close relationship with the land and spirit, has strong family values and cultural roots, and accepts her role in the revitalization and preservation of Mi’kmaw language, traditions, inherent rights and community well-being. These parts of her spirit are reflected in the energy poured into each piece she creates.