“Beadwork is resistance. Beadwork is revolutionary. We are celebrating and being proud of our culture. Being involved in these things make us strong individuals and nations.” -Amy Malbeuf
Frequently I am asked whether it is okay to purchase Indigenous beadwork as someone who is not Indigenous. The answer? Yes, on two conditions.
First, know who you are buying from is Indigenous. It is crucial that if you are celebrating Indigenous art, you are buying from someone who is in fact Indigenous. Second, know what tribe they identify within. My name is Aja St. Germaine, and I am Anishinabeg, the people of Odaawaa-Zaaga'iganiing, from the Lac Courte Oreilles (La-Coo-Ta-Ray) Tribe. Know this for when you tell someone who you purchased your earrings from.
As an Indigenous person, my culture’s definition of luxury is not based on brand names, but rather owning something that has put a lot of heart into it. Pieces are valued for their spirit, and not their monetary value. Heirlooms are passed down through the generations, and pieces are considered special because of the hands or stories behind them.
Beads should not be portrayed as simple trinkets that Indigenous people have sought to trade in the past, instead, they are integral elements to the greater Indigenous society both prior to and concurrent with European contact.
Historically, due to the loss of their traditional lands, and with it our subsistence base, the selling of art became an important source of income for Indigenous peoples. Beadwork tells a story deeper than art and craftsmanship, but rather a story of resilience of culture and our people.
Beads are playing an integral role in repairing cultural ties and spiritual beliefs to Indigenous artists. Beadwork has been and will continue to be significant in representing Indigenous resiliency as well as highlighting the distinct cultural value of Indigenous peoples.