Jessica Isaac Lanyard

Indigenous beadwork is a traditional craft practiced by various Indigenous cultures around the world. It involves the intricate art of decorating clothing, accessories, and ceremonial items using beads made from materials such as glass, shells, bones, seeds, and metals.

Each Indigenous community has its own unique beadwork techniques, patterns, and motifs that reflect their cultural heritage, spiritual beliefs, and artistic expression. Beadwork holds significant cultural, social, and ceremonial importance within Indigenous societies, often symbolizing identity, status, and storytelling.

Indigenous beadwork not only serves as a form of artistic expression but also as a means of preserving cultural traditions, passing down knowledge through generations, and fostering community cohesion. Today, it continues to thrive as a vibrant and cherished aspect of Indigenous cultural heritage.