Patuo’kn, pronounced /bah-doo-whoa-ghin/, is an illustration and design business run by two L’nu (Mi’kmaq) sisters, Kassidy and Kaylyn Bernard.
Our Story
Patuo’kn was established in late April 2019 when we decided to launch our dream of running a business together, following several years of freelancing. We registered Patuo’kn just as Kassidy was finishing her undergraduate studies, and Kaylyn’s son had recently turned one. It was a big year for both of us! Thanks to our family and friends, word spread quickly and we have worked with over fifty clients since then.
Patuo’kn is a Mi’kmaq word for driftwood. The idea for the name originally came from our grandfather, who ran his own roadside business selling handmade driftwood crafts. To honour our family and creative history, we decided to continue using our grandfather’s business name to promote our own services.
Our family is from We’koqma’q First Nation, in Mi’kma’ki territory, and we are based out of Unama’ki.
We focus on serving Mi’kmaq and other Indigenous clients; especially those who provide educational materials for learning Indigenous languages, culture, and practices. We also strive to work with local small businesses.
