Beadwork and resurgance
For millennia, Indigenous people have been producing artwork which is both functional, ceremonial, and pleasing to the eye. Though these productions may been seen as merely "goods", "clothing", or "crafts", more meaning can be derived from these traditions.
In terms of the Métis, there is a rich history about how our artwork came to be; specifically our beadwork, for which we became well-known. The Santee Sioux even referred to us as "the Flower Beadwork People". 1 Métis beadwork was a distinct creation like few other at the time and now Métis youth are connecting to this tradition in new and fascinating ways.
Come with us in discovering the history of Métis beadwork and how it is making a comeback.
Photo References
- Beaded Moccasin, Sault Ste Marie. Personal photograph by Courtney Vaughan. Date taken Nov 15, 2017.
- Beaded Capot Pocket, Timmins. Personal photograph by the Métis Nation of Ontario Canoe Expedition Communication Team. July 5, 2017.
About Us
Métis, you say?
There are differences between historical First Nation beadwork and historical Métis beadwork. Typically Métis beadwork has:
- floral designs
- connecting "vine" work
- flora at all stages of life (from root to bud to bloom)
Historical First Nation beadwork on the other hand has been categorized by geometric patterns of varying kinds. 2 That being said, Métis beadwork was influenced by other forms of art as well as influencing First Nation art, so these categories aren't static.
Cree-Métis Bag, mid-19th century. Accessioned 1908. American Museum of Natural History. 3
References
- Ted J. Brasser, " In search of métis art", in The New Peoples: Being and Becoming Métis in North America, ed. Jacqueline Peterson & Jennifer Brown (Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press, 1985), 221-229.
- Ibid, 222.
- Lois Dublin, Floral Journey: Native North American Beadwork (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2014) 127.