Where tradition meets tomorrow: The making of 'Woodland Trek'
Hailey White set out to tell a story, not create an award-winning piece. She was simply following a feeling – working slowly, thoughtfully, and for herself. So, when a voicemail referencing the phone book popped up while she was at work, she assumed it must be a mistake.
When she called back and heard the words, "You won," disbelief took over.
Hailey stepped outside her comfort zone by submitting her work to the Northwestel Directory Art Contest. What follows was not just recognition, but a quiet affirmation of years spent blending tradition, experimentation, and a deep connection to the Yukon landscape she's always called home.
‘Woodland Trek’ mixed media
A practice shaped by family and land
Hailey is a born-and-raised Yukoner, and that sense of place has shaped her art from the very beginning. She began taking drawing seriously in the seventh grade, focusing almost exclusively on animals. One of her earliest inspirations was Canadian wildlife artist Robert Bateman.
"He was the first artist I really connected with," she says. "I remember signing one of his books out from the library and being in disbelief at how lifelike his work was."
As a teenager, Hailey taught herself digital illustration through exploration and experimentation, developing a semi-realistic style during her high-school years. A supportive computer teacher introduced her to Photoshop, encouraging her creativity and opening the door to digital art.
At the same time, she was learning beadwork – a practice deeply connected to her identity as a Northern Tutchone artist. Her beading practice is rooted in generational teachings passed down through family, combined with her own experimentation. Growing up, Hailey spent countless hours sewing with her mom and grandma, surrounded by art and handmade crafts.
Those experiences – family, culture, and time spent on the land – continue to influence how Hailey approaches her work today. Whether she is creating digitally, beading by hand, or combining the two, her process is rooted in patience, observation, and a deep respect for the stories carried by both place and material.
Hailey carefully beading a fox
Where beadwork meets the valley light
'Woodland Trek' began without a clear plan, guided only by a desire to honour northern wildlife, particularly the woodland caribou. What form the piece would take was uncertain from the start.
"At one point I thought the whole piece might be beaded," Hailey says. "But that would have taken far too long."
She explored other ideas – fabric backgrounds, painting – but none felt right. Eventually, she returned to what felt most natural: combining her two core practices. The caribou at the centre of the piece is traditionally beaded by hand, following techniques rooted in generations of knowledge. Once complete, Hailey photographed it in high resolution and translated it into a digital format.
The background took over 19 hours to complete. Warm, layered tones evoke the glow of a setting sun spilling across a Yukon valley, creating a quiet stillness around the lone caribou standing watch.
The final piece bridges tactile tradition and contemporary digital expression. Hailey describes her style as "new age traditional" – a blending of modern design with traditional mediums that allows both to coexist.
"I made this piece for myself," she says. "I didn't think I'd win – but I was proud of it."
Hailey signing her artwork
Drawn to the North
Hailey briefly lived in Australia, where she loved the weather, but the Yukon never left her thoughts.
"You can't really step away from this place," she says. "It always pulls you back."
The changing seasons, the wildlife, and the quiet beauty of the land continue to inspire her work. Whether she's working digitally, creating beadwork, or merging the two, her art reflects an ongoing dialogue between tradition and innovation.
Seeing 'Woodland Trek' printed for the first time and featured on the Yukon directory cover was a powerful moment.
"It means a lot," she says. "I'm introverted, so putting my work out there isn't easy. But this gave me a huge confidence boost."
What comes next
For northern artists, she believes contests like this offer more than recognition. Art supplies are expensive, and financial support matters, but so does visibility.
"Having your work seen by thousands of people – that kind of exposure is incredible."
Looking ahead, Hailey hopes to continue creating mixed-media pieces like 'Woodland Trek' alongside more traditional beaded works. She plans to offer affordable prints, so her art is accessible to everyone, and she continues sharing her work on Instagram at @hide.and.hues
Her advice to other artists is simple: create for yourself.
"Art is subjective," she says. "There will always be someone who loves what you do. Don't let one opinion stop you."
With 'Woodland Trek,' Hailey has woven together land, culture, patience, and innovation – offering a quiet but powerful reflection of the North, and the artists who continue to reimagine it.
.jpg)
Hailey with her dog, Hiccup
As the winner of the Northwestel Directory Art Contest, Hailey White receives a $5,000 prize from Northwestel. Her winning mixed-media piece, ‘Woodland Trek,’ blends traditional beadwork and digital illustration to depict a lone woodland caribou in a warm, reflective Yukon landscape.
For 47 years, Northwestel has proudly featured northern art on the covers of our directories. Inspired by the land and lived experiences of the North, these works celebrate the creativity and connections that define the people and places we call home.
Thinking about submitting your artwork for next year's Directory Art Contest? Visit our Directory Art page and keep an eye out for the 2027 contest, opening in September.
Get a directory
Photography by Sarah Lewis Photography
