Glenda McKay is Ingalik-Athabascan. She was born in Anchorage, Alaska, and was taught the skills she uses in doll making at an early age by her mother, grandmother, and aunts. Knowing how to embroider and bead; trap, snare, and tan hides; and gather fruit, roots, bark, and plants has served her well. McKay has a much-earned reputation for personally gathering all the materials for her creations and she is known for her intricate attention to detail.

Her dolls take between three and nine months to create. McKay is proud of her Ingalik-Athabascan heritage and the dolls depict the lives, culture, and history of her ancestors. She is a passionate and articulate advocate for her culture.

Since 2006, McKay has shown professionally at major juried competitions. Her work is in permanent museum collections, galleries, and private collections.