Threads of Identity: The Art and Spirit of Indigenous Beading

Beads tell stories. Each one—tiny, colorful, carefully chosen—holds the memory of a people, a place, and a purpose. Indigenous beading, practiced for generations across Canada and beyond, is far more than decoration; it is a living expression of culture, identity, and resilience.

In this photo, I’m wearing earrings that hold deep meaning for me — they were created to honor my grandmother, Rosa Moses, a gifted Dene designer and beading artist whose creativity continues to inspire me every day.

The pattern for these earrings comes directly from her own drawings and designs — a piece of her imagination that I’ve carried forward with my hands. Each stitch and bead connects me to her spirit, to her patience, and to the love she poured into her art.

I used natural elements like moose hair and porcupine quills, along with vintage charlotte-cut beads, to bring her vision back to life. These materials are traditional, alive with memory — the same kinds of elements she would have worked with in her own creations.

When I bead, I feel her presence guiding me — reminding me that our art is not just about beauty, but about connection, identity, and legacy. Every sparkle, every tiny detail in these earrings, is a quiet conversation between generations — between a granddaughter and the grandmother who taught her to see art in everything.

These earrings are more than adornment. They are my way of saying, thank you, Grandma Rosa. Your hands may have rested, but your artistry continues to dance through mine.