Michelle Firth says beading is “one of the most important things in my life right now.”
Originally from Inuvik, Firth – who had longed to become an artist – discovered beading after moving to the Yukon.
“I was beginning my sobriety journey and I joined an Aboriginal women’s group in the Yukon. They host group beading sessions, they bring people in from different communities. I took a class with them and that’s how I first picked up beading,” she said.
That was three years ago. Now, Firth is the Land and Waters Boards of the Mackenzie Valley artist of the month for August.
Her submitted work is titled Blue Leaf Bounty.
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“I’ve been into making moccasins – not for anybody else, just for myself and my family. I wanted to do something in blue so I thought, let’s do the leaves blue, let’s add some sparkle. And purple and yellow just seem to match up very well with it,” she said.
For the time being, she’s gifting away most of her work. She finds the work itself brings a valuable calmness to her day.
“On my sobriety journey, beading has helped me tremendously. My thoughts were scattered. When I’m beading, they’re not,” Firth said.
“My mind is clear because I’m focused on my work and what needs to be done.”
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She feels closer to her culture, too, since learning to bead.
“I get a lot of inspiration from nature and I think about my own ancestors. My grandmother did a lot of beading throughout her life. It makes me feel connected in some kind of way,” she said.
Though Firth is still learning, she loves the sensation of someone choosing to wear her work.
“They’re all one of a kind, nobody will ever have the same thing. That’s what I like. It makes me proud,” she said.
“A few years back, somebody had asked me if I was an artist and I said: ‘No – but I would like to be, one day.’ Where I am right now in my life, I’m definitely an artist. I love beading. It’s a part of my everyday life, you know? I love creating.
“I’m able to do what I want. Nobody’s telling me anything. It’s very nice to have that freedom to express myself through beads. If anybody’s going through journeys where they’re secluded or alone, I would suggest that they possibly pick up beading, because it’s one of the best things that happened to me.”
The Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley have launched a year-long Indigenous flower beading series that celebrate and promote northern Indigenous beadwork.
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.
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.
