This winter a new workshop emerges to showcase Indigenous beading in the City of Kingston.
The Kingston School of Art (KSOA) is hosting an Indigenous beading event on how to make traditional beaded ornaments. The event, “Tsyón:nis – You All Make It!” is run by teaching artist Liv Rondeau, and will be held on Nov. 19 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Front studio on 647 Princess St. The event will cost $55 for participants, with a minimum age requirement being 16 years old.
“The practice of beading has been widely recognized by Indigenous peoples as a way of recording cultural knowledge, relationships with land, treaties and promoting wellness within communities,” KSOA said in a statement to The Journal.
Indigenous beading is significant to communities across Turtle Island, especially in Katarokwi, KSOA explained. In Katarokwi Kingston the beads are distinct because clay is used to create them, making it a common activity for communities to gather, sculpt, and make beads by hand.
“This tradition translates to the work we’d like to do on this territory as we’d be engaging in creating a project everyone would contribute to, using techniques, skills, and materials influenced by our own stories, identities, and the land,” KSOA said.
Executive Director of the Kingston School of Art Maddi Andrews, ArtSci ’16 and MA ’21, described the importance of including Indigenous art forms in their programs and workshops.
“[Tsyón:nis – You All Make It!] very much aligns with where we hope KSOA falls within the community as a place where we can uplift and honour Indigenous voices, artists, and their cultural traditions,” Andrews said in an interview with The Journal.
She said KSOA is focused on robust programming across different areas and disciplines
to show what Kingston has to offer artistically.
According to Andrews, the event will be a place where Rondeau can share their knowledge and receive employment, while selling their work.
It’s important to KSOA they provide promotional and financial exposure to Indigenous
artists as part of the reconciliation process.
Rondeau will lead the workshop as a facilitator and create a conversation around Indigenous beading to explain the significance of the art to guests. Then, Rondeau will demonstrate beading techniques that participants will use to make their own ornament to bring home.
Anyone is welcome at the event. Andrews said it’s a great opportunity for Queen’s
students to connect with Kingston outside of the Queen’s bubble.
Tags
Culture, Indigenous Art, Kingston School of Art, KSOA, Tradition
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