Nelly Winters

Nelly (Nellie) May Winters (born 1938) is a Canadian Inuit garment and textile artist from Nunatsiavut. A self-taught artist, she is renowned for her embroidery, garments, and use of inukuluks (small human-like figures in Inuit art) in her works, which reflect Inuit culture and traditions. She is believed to be one of the most influential Nunatsiavut artists and has contributed to various exhibitions and publications. Recognized for her cultural contributions, Winters received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Memorial University in 2021. Her parents are originally from Makkovik, Newfoundland, Canada. These schools were run by Moravian Missionaries. Winters and family re-located to Makkovik, Newfoundland, Canada, where she currently resides. Winters has grandchildren and great-grandchildren who are artistic,

Winters continues to pass her teachings and knowledge to her children and students, in an effort to preserve Inuit knowledge and embroidery to younger generations. One example of her work is, Short Tail Sikipak with Embroidery (2015), featuring her signature embroidery with flowers.

Exhibitions and publications In 1976, Winters showcased her art in the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

The word "SakKijâjuk" means "to be visible" paying homage to Nunatsiavut history of underrepresentation and lack of recognition and their resilience. Until 2005, Nunatsiavut people were not recognized as Indigenous by Newfoundland when they joined Canada. As a result, Nunatsiavut peoples received little recognition and were not eligible for any federally funded Inuit art initiatives.

Publications Winters has authored her own children's book about her experience as a Residential School survivor, titled Reflections from Them Days: A Residential School Memoir from Nunatsiavut published in September 2020.

She has co-authored a research article, titled Plants in a 'Sea of Relationships': Networks of Plants and Fishing in Makkovik, Nunatsiavut (Labrador, Canada)

In 2024, Winters and her family was interviewed for Land and Sea, an Atlantic documentary CBC showcasing Atlantic culture and important figures.