It took two months of painstaking beading work to create, but the hard work of Sentinel Secondary student and artist Rebecca Collier has not gone unnoticed.
The Grade 11 student, from the Métis Nation, is one of four winners to have bagged one of the much coveted cash prizes for the FORED BC’s annual artwork contest. Part of FORED’s Aboriginal Heritage, Education & Dialogue (AHEAD) program, the contest celebrates the rich cultural and heritage traditions of Indigenous communities.
Crafted from beads, deer hide and jingles, the vivid piece of fine craftsmanship depicts a blossoming lotus flower in vibrant reds and pinks. Designed to be worn at powwows, as a burette with an eagle feather on the back of the head, the piece is a small yet powerful celebration of her own culture and Indigenous identity, said Collier.
“There are seven jingles and seven beads connecting the jingles to the piece, each representing the seven generations we as Indigenous people try to honour and protect,” she said.
Collier started the artwork in March, at a Métis Youth event in Kamloops hosted by the Métis Nation of British Columbia (MNBC) and Thompson Rivers University’s Indigenous education department.
Alongside 25 other Métis youth from across the province, Collier embarked on art workshops that encouraged students to embrace their own Nation’s traditions and culture. Students were also given a tour of the campus and provided with career advice and resources to help them navigate the few years following secondary school.
“I was able to connect with my Métis roots through jigging, beading, and hands-on cultural activities learned from community leaders and Elders,” said Collier.
“I was guided in this piece by Elder Dory LaBoucane, a gifted beader and knowledge keeper who generously shared her teachings.”
The creation process took about two months to complete, with Collier picking colours as she went, and only working on the piece when she felt she was in the right mindset to do so, she said.
“I only beaded when I felt like my energy was good, and I had the spirit to weave as much meaning as I could into the piece,” she said.
“The entire process took many long hours to complete.”
The personal nods to her own culture and family history that have been intricately woven into the piece are largely what makes it so special, and are likely what swayed the judges in crowning her the winner, said Maria Dawson, the West Vancouver school district’s Aboriginal Success Teacher.
“I believe Rebecca’s artwork resonates with the judges so strongly because each piece of the artwork had a purpose and meaning. The materials used, the jingles, quantity of jingles, and the beads were carefully selected and connected with each other,” said Dawson.
“I absolutely love Rebecca’s creation and the thought process into creating such an amazing piece,” she said, adding how her favourite facet was the colour combinations used for the piece.
Showcasing and celebrating Indigenous artwork serves as a powerful way to preserve the teachings and knowledge, said Dawson.
“The North Shore is surrounded by amazing Indigenous installations, and it opens up conversation and dialogues into the resilience, strength, and perseverance of Indigenous Peoples.”
Collier said she hopes those who look upon her artistic creations feel “a warm light” around them, and understand the meaning and importance of beadwork and its cultural significance to Indigenous people across the country.
“I hope they can appreciate the amount of time, care, and love that I had put into the piece as well. I am proud of the work,” said Collier, adding how she hopes to wear it as regalia in the near future.
Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
