Nathalie was born on a Quebec farm with a kennel of over 800 sled dogs. Nature, open spaces, and community-as-family were her companions. Inspired by her blend of French-European and Mi’kmaq ancestry, and the creative artistry and celebrant joy that her family shared, she grew up with the freedom to explore her imagination. Painting and sketching became her way to express herself. 

In her early 20’s Nathalie was blessed to reconnect with her Indigenous heritage through the teachings of Mi’kmaq Elder Stephen Augustine. With her two eldest children being of Oji-Cree heritage, this inspired within her a deep desire to promote and nurture a greater relational understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. A single mother at the time, she opened up Khewa, a gallery-boutique celebrating local, regional and national hand-crafted Indigenous art.

Over the years she has nurtured relationships between Indigenous, Métis, Inuit artists and Canadian partners to promote Indigenous culture. With a Graphic Arts background and a regenerative entrepreneurial career, Nathalie has also both initiated and been involved in many creative, community-focused projects. For eight years, she was simultaneously the visionary and organizer behind the Wakefield Harvest Festival, a large, community-wide and culture-rich event that brought together thousands of people to celebrate the fall harvest in the spirit of gratitude, of connection and of strengthening community bonds.

In her gallery-boutique, she narrates ancestral stories, provides art workshops, and facilitates educational events on various cross-cultural realities. In 2018 she launched Coutou Collection, a Canadian-made clothing and accessory line which features her artwork printed on fabric as lush, wearable art.

As a mother of 3, a woman of mixed heritage, and as an artist, Nathalie’s paintings offer a bridge towards deepening in understanding of what moves within us, what is shaping our reality, and what is asking to be expressed. Her work invites in honesty, subtle reflection, growing awareness, and storytelling as pathways to compassionate understanding, shared meaningful dialogue and heart-felt connection and healing.

www.khewa.com

IG @coutou_nathalie