Learn Traditional Indigenous Beadwork with a Modern Twist

Beader Naomi Smith is a member of the Chippewas of Nawash nation and believes that art and life are intertwined. She says, “We embellish our everyday objects as a way of preserving what has meaning in our lives.” In August, Naomi will be traveling south to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, from her home in Canada to share her beading knowledge at Bead Fest. 

Shown above: Knowledge Keeper Naomi Smith shares beading techniques that find their roots in Indigenous beadwork from the Northeastern and Great Lakes region of North America. Petite Fleur Dimensional Beaded Flower Pin shown.

Naomi’s passion for beading has developed over the past three decades. She shares, “It’s such a joy for me to handle a piece of beadwork and run my fingers over the design and feel the beads. Creating beadwork is a relaxing pursuit for me, and it can be a healing process that has a sense of sacredness to it. I love how beading connects me to my Ancestors’ voices and my own.” She enjoys using traditional techniques to create contemporary designs. 

Knowledge Keeper

As a Knowledge Keeper, Naomi is responsible for sharing traditions appropriately so they’ll live on. Naomi explains, “Our ancestors used beading as a way to connect to each other spiritually and provide a way to tell our stories in a meaningful way through the creation of elaborately embellished objects. Everything we create has a story and meaning and every community has its own beading traditions, styles, and history.”

In most of her classes, Naomi teaches native people who have a strong interest in their culture or those who are from different backgrounds but have a great respect for native culture. She teaches her students that “the creation of art is not separate from our teachings, roles, and responsibilities. Everything is intended to work together.”  

“The role of a Knowledge Keeper goes beyond showing people how to create beadwork or any other art form, it can be quite involved. When we use materials that come from the natural world, there are protocols surrounding the use of those materials and what to do with any materials that can’t be used. One thing I always impress on others is the importance of having due regard for all the teachings and lessons during the workshop.” Naomi focuses on teaching the traditions of the Woodlands people.  

Naomi creates Woodlands designs and traditional objects using natural or glass beads, sweetgrass, birch bark, porcupine quill, hair, and hide, always valuing these sacred materials throughout her creative process. Her meticulously fashioned work has been exhibited at many museums and is included in the collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian and the Boston Museum of Fine Art.  

Beading with Meaning

Naomi’s beadwork and classes include symbolism and narratives. She observes, “Beadwork tells stories of who we are as individuals and the communities we come from.” You’ll learn about this approach to indigenous and modern beadwork techniques in Naomi’s classes at Bead Fest.  

Learn more about Naomi Smith and read the entire article in Beadwork February-March 2021. 

Indigenous Beading Techniques in Beadwork magazine