Wenukinux (Mary Martin) is a Nuu-cha-nulth artist from the house of Ewasaht and Upwinisaht in Tla-o-qui-aht. Her father is Nukmiis Robert Martin mit, a master carver revered along the coast for his dugout canoes. Mary's mother is Cecelia Mabel Lucas Martin Sport mit. Mabel was a well known environmental activist and she too, began her beading skills in residential school. 

Mary’s artistic journey began with beading at the young age of 11 while attending Christie Indian residential school. She has been making potlatch regalia for 30 years. Her early Nuu-cha-nulth artistic influences were Art Thompson mit and Ron Hamilton. 

 Mary is well known among Northwest coast First Nations artists. Her bead work, sewing and weaving are incomparable. Indeed Mary’s creative and cultural passions have helped to heal the social fabric all across Nuu-cha-nulth territories through her teaching in many communities. 

From 2019 through 2021 Mary attended the Freda Diesing School of Northwest coast art. This formal education has fuelled Mary to up her game in all mediums especially carving wood. Learning to carve has inspired her to learn more about her ancestors carving and the work of her modern day contemporaries. Mary is a believer in genetic memory. The more she delves into the cultural crafts of her ancestors the more creativity and passion is woken in her. 

Everything Mary touches is rooted in her culture. Her family has histories going back thousands of years on the west coast of Vancouver island. Threads of the oral histories are still intact and the teachings of her ancestors flow through her mind, heart and hands and guide her walk through life. Indeed it is this strength of family and culture that helped Mary and her family survive the ravages of Indian residential schools and the consequences of colonialism. Today Mary stands proudly with other members of her family, at totem pole raisings, canoe launches and other public events, bringing the stories of her people and reviving the brilliant artistic aspects of her culture.