Jess Sanderson-Barry is a nêhiyaw-iskwêw, mother, Cree Artist, Hide Tanner, Knowledge Sharer and Facilitator from Chakastaypasin Band, Treaty 6 Territory. Jess has created her wearable art under the name JShine Designs and currently working out of Edmonton, Alberta. Three years ago she left her professional career to pursue art full-time.

Jess combines both traditional and contemporary beading styles into her art. Throughout her work she utilizes materials such as traditionally tanned hides, which she is reclaiming the practice and art of hide tanning. Traditional Hide Tanning was stopped one generation before her and she was able to bring this traditional practice back to her family. Beading and working on hides has awakened her spirit and she finds beading as a way to express herself by creating beautiful adornments for everyday wear. 

Jess graduated with her Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in Native Studies and minoring in Women’s Gender Studies at the University of Alberta (2019).  Furthermore, she obtained a Certificate in Aboriginal Governance and Partnerships. Education was always important to Jess and her education journey started through NAIT (2007), in which she also obtained both an Accounting Diploma and graduated with a Bachelor Business Administration Degree (2013).