About

Meet the Artist!

Hello and welcome! My name is Emily O'Hara and I'm the creative force behind Tanshi Clay! 

A bit about me: I grew up in Midland Ontario and moved to Toronto in 2018 to attend Humber College. I have two  diplomas; one in Protection, Security and Investigations as well a Social Service Work. I currently work full-time in social media and have been beading since 2022!

A bit about my family: My grandmother is Marie Marguerite Michaud and was born and raised in Pointe au Baril. My grandmother grew up in a Métis household, but after doing some digging this year, I found out that her grandmother is Marguerite Restoule of Wiikwemikong First Nation on Manitoulin Island. Because of this, I'm still trying to connect the dots about some of my families history as there is so much to uncover. I am disconnected from a lot of my family but am hoping to reconnect in 2025 as I want to solve this puzzle. I also wanted to share this information with you all because I am aware that the Métis Nation of Ontario has a history of recasting First Nations ancestors as Métis and this might be the case for me. If you're a reconnecting Indigenous person or know someone who is, then I'm sure you know it's a long journey. 
But with all that said, what I can tell you is that I'm a registered member of the Métis Nation of Ontario and that my Métis family name is McKay.
  


Creating Tanshi Clay

I originally started Tanshi Clay back in 2020 when polymer clay earrings were all the rage and decided to start my own polymer clay business!

After attending my first powwow during the summer of 2022, I was immediately in awe of all the amazing beadwork I saw. That day, I bought my first pair of beaded earrings and on the way home I stopped by Michaels to pick up some beading supplies.

These are the first pair of earrings I made.

My Métis Experience

Growing up, I definitely struggled with my identity. My family practiced traditional teachings but the association between those practices and Indigeneity was never talked about and it wasn't until I moved to Toronto that I started to re-connect and meet this side of myself.

At first, identifying as Métis was super confusing for me. I didn't feel white enough in white spaces and I didn't feel native enough in native spaces. I felt the need to constantly justify my identity to others. I felt alone, isolated and misunderstood.

I joined
the Toronto York Métis Region Council in hopes to meet other Métis folk and I immediately felt at home.
   
For once, I was surrounded by people who understood how I was feeling. Beading has played a huge role in reconnecting with my culture and in finding purpose. I've met so many amazing people this past year and I'm incredibly grateful to be part of such an amazing community. 

     

What is Tanshi Clay?

When starting my business, I knew I wanted to include a part of my Métis identity in the branding. Then, Tanshi Clay was born which is a play on "Taanishi" which means "Hello" in Michif.

 

 To my fellow pasty native brothers and sisters:
you are beautiful, you are not alone and you are valid.