Meet Natalie Ortiz

We recently connected with Natalie Ortiz and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I try and look past the downfalls of something negative and keep in mind the positivity to come after it. I’ve had many situations where I have felt hopeless or like giving up. I know that there’s nothing good that comes from wallowing in self-pity and that whatever negativity comes at me is a learning opportunity for growth.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have guidance from elders, and members of my community who use valuable teachings to help me get through the rough patches in life.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

As an artist, a lot of the inspiration of my work comes from my culture and experiences. Being both Ojibwe (Anishinaabe of Wauzhushk Onigum Nation) and Peruvian, you will find the connection of both my heritages. I like to shine light on both because I was raised to appreciate who I am and where I come from.
The name of my business Oliva’s Jewelry comes from a park name in Lima, Peru, Parque del Olivar. As a child I lived next to it, and it is my favourite place in the world. My other platform for my moccasins Naty Mocs comes from the nick name my father would call me, short for Natalie.

I learned to bead and make moccasins through traditional teachings as a youth living in Tkaronto (Toronto, ON). Today I continue those practices to keep the teachings alive, to share with other’s those teachings, and to help other’s appreciate the art my ancestors passed on for generations.

I find so much peace when I bead as it is a form of medicine. Each piece I create I hope for my good energy to be passed on to others. When I participate in local markets for my small business it gives me an opportunity to share my story and teachings. It’s also a great way to meet other people within my community who are also part of the same journey of reconnecting with our heritage.
I share on my social handle through Instagram @olivasjewelry and @natymocs of the local markets or shops I am a part of to purchase my art in person.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Acceptance- Accepting knowledge from others. I was young when Ilearned the skills of beading and making moccasins. I participated within the community and am forever grateful to have done so. I was blessed to be offered teachings that I carry to this day, and hope to pass on to many others.

Confidence- I have always been shy and held back a lot growing up. Today and through many experiences I have taken leaps of faith. It has only helped me progress. As hard as it may be for a lot of people, what I can share is, don’t let that fright take advantage of your skills and abilities.

Community- Be a part of your community. Go to a gathering, full moon ceremony, pow wow, or be with family. You can always learn a lot, and it’s just a great way to release stress.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When it comes to preparing for a market or dealing with negative comments from certain individuals while I’m vending at markets, I start with taking a breath.
I’ve developed a lot of strength in breathing techniques that really aid in calming myself, or resetting. I’ve found taking time to focus on my physical health not only is beneficial towards that physical aspect, but also very beneficial to my mental health, Breathing techniques have been developed through practicing yoga and mediation. I know it’s not for everyone, but just taking a few deep breaths even can go a long way.
Even if it is a simple walk around the block outside, reading a chapter of a book, or doing some simple stretches at home can help relieve some overwhelming stress.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.olivasjewelry.com
• Instagram: olivasjewelry and natymocs
• Facebook: olivasjewelry

Image Credits

Image credit for profile picture; Amanda Bernard
All other images: Natalie Ortiz