Indigenous Beadwork Artists to Support and Follow

*Each artist has been contacted and has given permission to have their work shared prior to the publishing of this article.

*Each summary has been given by the artist themselves and may have been added onto by the author. 

*Written in first-person narrative to properly convey the artists’ feelings and stories.

@greenteabaggie

“Aaniin (Hello), I am a reconnecting and mixed Anishinaabekwe x Cherokee beadwork artist. I originally started picking up beadwork as a means to keep our culture alive within the family, as well as grieve the loss of my Grandfather, a disconnected Sixties Scoop survivor. I hope to transform my slow-made beadwork into a community based project focusing on bringing materials, finished beadwork and regalia, as well as other traditional crafts to youth and elders who have been affected or disconnected by the child welfare system. 

My inspirations come from vintage materials, natural materials, and the love of the land that binds us all together. Without the unwavering kindness and love that is the beading community, I would have never continued learning and growing into the beadwork artist I am today. 

I would also love to give a Chi-Miigwech to Alicia Cadotte @Pokadette, Ashton Lee @nikaghun_beadwork, Seekwa McNeil, and the entire @Roadlesstufted family who helped guide, inspire, and impact who I am today, and for that medicine, I will always be grateful.”

@lilbeadwork 

“My pronouns are she/her and I am a Nunavuk Inuk from Kangiqsujuaq (currently) living in Montreal.” 

@creeags 

“I am Nehiyaw from Peguis First Nation. I bead as a way of culture, and connection and healing for my Father and Grandmother.”

@bigminkbeads

“Taanshi, Hello! My name is Emma. I am a disabled and queer Metis artist; living in British Columbia on Okanagan Syilx land. Creating and selling my handmade art has been healing for me. I get to do something I love, while also having space to be kind to myself and my body. I hope you feel the good, healing energy I put into everything I make. Thank you for supporting my art!” 

@indigenous_moons

“My name is Saturn and I am from the Pueblo of Pojoaque. I got into beading because someone close to me wanted to teach me. I started to love beading after just a few times of learning it! I will continue to love beading and the blessings and opportunities it’s given me!”

@dominiques_beadwork

“My name is Dominique Dahlgren. I am 26 years old and I was 20 years old when I started beading. I am Siksika, and grew up quite far away from my Siksika family, but I would still go to powwows every summer since I was little. Beautiful beaded powwow regalia is what made me want to bead but I never thought I could do it. I never thought of myself as very artistic or creative. After attending a powwow at my university, I decided to just go for it. Now beading is a huge part of my life and I don’t know what I would do without it. It gives me purpose. It makes me feel more connected to my Siksika family, as my mother was an artist, and so is my uncle. Lately, I really enjoy making contemporary style beaded earrings, but I definitely want to learn how to bead other things in different ways. I still consider myself an amateur, so I try to step up my game every day. My favourite thing about beading is the colours. I love colour!” 

@beadsbyotsihstohskon 

“I am a mixed Two Spirit youth from Tyendinaga Mohawk territory and Muskeg Lake Cree Nation. I taught myself how to bead in elementary school as a way to connect with my culture, family, and ancestors. Above everything. My beadwork is a form of prayer, protest, and expression.”

@marissaindoe

“The main focus in my work is combining my style of Ojibwe floral paintings into my beadwork to create unique pieces of wearable art! 

I started beading as a way to help me when I first got sober from alcohol, and to begin 

reconnecting to my culture and spirit by revitalizing something that had been lost in my family. 

My focus now for creating, is a way to help me cope with my chronic pain from endometriosis, my mental health issues, and it helps me to keep on track with my sobriety.”