Beading big in Akwesasne

Some of Kahnawake’s finest beaders were in Akwesasne last weekend for the Native North American Travelling College’s International Iroquois Beadwork Conference, held at the Tsi Snaihne Recreation Centre.

“The highlight is always just being around all the beadworkers from all of our Six Nations and wherever else everyone comes from,” said Merit Cross, one of a large group of Kahnawa’kehró:non who attended this year’s event.

“There’s such a big group from Kahnawake that goes, and we all get to just be hanging out sitting at one table and we sit there and bead and listen and learn,” she said.

The conference, which was co-hosted by the Iroquois Studies Association, featured presentations from guest speakers including Tom Porter, who presented on Haudenosaunee history, language, and culture, and Kelly Back of Fire Loom Creations, who shared with the group her beaded loom belts.

Also in attendance from Kahnawake was Trudy Jacobs, who said the conference is always a hit.

“Having so much knowledge of beadwork in one place is an amazing experience, to be able to network with other designers from beginners to experts, all willing and ready to share, learn, and teach,” she said.

She was particularly moved by a display of beaded vamps created by children and youth in Akwesasne, something that made her think about the history of residential schools and the hope she feels to see young people beading.

“It was beautiful and heart wrenching at the same time,” she said.

“Some of the beadwork dated back to the 1800s, it is absolutely incredible that these pieces still exist today, honouring the past and giving us ideas to create and continue to contribute to future generations.”

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