Dennis Shorty

Dennis Shorty (Gah Sa'ze - meaning Rabbit's Nephew) is a member of the Wolf Clan of the Kaska people and is considered a Yukon First Nation Master Carver. He carves using many materials that come from nature including from his traditional territory. This gives Dennis' work a true connection to the land and the spiritual world, a connection he uses in creating his artwork. He also paints in acrylic and oil on canvas.

Born and raised in the beautiful Ross River area, Dennis grew up speaking Kaska and spent a lot of time with his grandfather who was a very spiritual person. His grandfather carved in wood and antler and this tradition is carried on by Dennis. This is also Dennis' spiritual connection.

Dennis has been involved in a number of local art exhibitions including the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Exhibition in 1991, where he won third place, the Art of the Kaska Exhibition in 1996 and the Art of the Kaska Exhibition in 2003, both held at the Yukon Arts Centre Gallery. He was also the recent winner of the Peoples Choice Award at the First Nation Art Festival in Whitehorse 2008.

Dennis' carvings are in many collections both public and private, including the Yukon permanent Art collection, the Kaska Dena Council Art Collection and those of the Governor General of Canada and the Premier of British Columbia. His artwork has even found its way as far away as Australia. He was recently accepted in the Venues' Aboriginal Arts Program for the Olympics and Paralympics 2010 in Vancouver.

Dennis says: "There is a spirit in everything and creating art is a powerful spiritual act. When I see a piece of antler, the picture of what I am going to carve automatically comes to me. When I complete a piece of artwork, I feel a sense of accomplishment which brings me pride, joy and peacefulness."