The Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley are launching a year-long Indigenous flower beading series that celebrate and promote northern Indigenous beadwork.
Beading artists are invited to contact the boards – there’s more about how to do that below – with a suggested theme for one or more months, and how they would bead a flower to showcase that theme.
Artists who already have completed works, such as a beaded flower earring or moccasin upper, can propose a theme that matches their existing art.
Ryan Fequet, executive director of the Wek’èezhìı Land and Water Board, said the campaign came about because “we wanted to do something that was not just a statement on our website in respect of truth and reconciliation.”
“We wanted to do something more active,” he said.
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All artists who submit work will receive $25 for each month they propose a theme and idea for a beaded flower. The artist whose theme and flower are selected for each month will receive an additional $250.
Artists will get to keep the beaded flower they make after sharing it with the land and water boards, who will photograph the design and celebrate the art and artist across various online channels.
The boards have partnered with Cabin Radio on the campaign. Each artist chosen will be featured in an online article and radio interview.
The boards will not resell or profit from the design.
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“We’re open to hearing from [northern Indigenous artists] about what themes are important to the North, to Indigenous peoples, and to reconciliation,” Fequet explained.
He encouraged themes that align with the board’s values, such as inclusion, transparency, and Indigenous self-determination.
“We came about because of land claims and self-government agreements and we’re here to serve the North,” he said.
“Our boards have appointed Indigenous members from across the NWT who make decisions about resource development across the Mackenzie Valley, and so anything we can do to further promote and actually implement those land claims and the legislation under which we work is something we always are working towards.”
To submit a theme and idea for an accompanying flower design, contact the boards through the new Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley Facebook page, or call Christan at 867-765-4592.
Artists are asked to share an introductory paragraph about themselves and their connection to Indigenous culture and traditions, as well as a few lines with one or more suggested themes and how they will bring that theme to life through a beaded flower.
“This beading series is a way to blend doing something supporting local northern, Indigenous artists and also sharing their creativity and their inspiration with others,” said Fequet.
“There’s lots of people out there who are super talented and we’d love to hear your themes and see your designs.”
The submission deadline is October 24, 2024.
