Two new Haudenosaunee artworks, a beaded McGill logo and a beaded McGill banner, have been added to McGill’s Visual Arts Collection.
Commissioned by McGill’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII) and created by artist Niiostosera:ah Thompson, the beaded artworks will be displayed at important McGill gatherings, such as Convocation ceremonies.
This project responds specifically to McGill’s Call to Action #26, Indigeneity and Public Spaces at McGill. This call commits McGill to ensuring its public spaces reflect the University’s commitment to Indigenous education through the display of Indigenous art and culture.
Keeping traditions alive
Commissioning a beaded logo was proposed by the staff at Branches, Enrolment Services’ program for Indigenous outreach and recruitment.
At the same time, Enrolment Services’ Convocation team wanted to incorporate Indigenous elements into its Convocation ceremonies and suggested a beaded banner, formally called a fall.
OII supported both projects, leading a committee that commissioned Thompson to create the works.
“They knew what they wanted and asked me if I was willing to bring them to life,” said Thompson, who is from the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne. “I was kind of blown away by them reaching out. I’m honoured to be part of this initiative to connect with Indigenous students.”
Thompson was the sole artist to work on the pieces, which took four months to complete.
It’s her biggest project to date, but it’s only the latest in a string of successes: the University of Ottawa commissioned her to create graduation pins for its Indigenous students, and Inuk actress Anna Lambe recently wore her earrings to the Emmy Awards.
Thompson’ established her own beading business, Small Feather Empire, nearly two years ago.
“Beading gives me purpose, makes me feel rooted in my culture, and allows me to represent my community in a beautiful and unique way,” said Thompson, who started learning how to bead when she was 5, from her mother. “I love what I do every day, and I feel like I’m doing my part to keep this tradition alive.”
Reflecting Indigenous culture
The artworks are relevant to McGill’s project of recognition and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. In addition to responding to Call to Action #26, they’re also applicable to #7 (Communication for Recruitment) and #22 (Indigeneity and University Governance).
Those leading the project hope the artworks will inspire and encourage Indigenous students to wear their traditional regalia and/or indigenize/customize aspects of their garb at McGill events. In the past, for example, students have beaded their convocation cap.
Prof. Celeste Pedri-Spade, McGill’s Associate Provost of Indigenous Initiatives, offered comments on the importance of advancing Indigenous physical representation at McGill:
“Settler colonial privilege and dominance exists in the material components that are part of our campus community, and they often contribute to settler colonial bias and unconscious bias. The original peoples of this land are often rendered invisible and do not see themselves or their material cultures reflected in their physical environments where they are expected to learn,” said Pedri-Spade.
“So while some may view initiatives to increase Indigenous physical representation as superficial and tokenistic, I encourage them to think about the significance of finally seeing something here that reflects the presence of Indigenous culture and works against the ongoing erasure/invisibility.”
The beaded artworks are among the latest to be catalogued and accessioned into the University’s Visual Arts Collection. When not in use, they’ll be accessible to researchers; when on display, they serve as powerful symbols of the changing relationship between McGill and Indigenous stakeholders.
Niiostosera:ah Thompson’s beaded artworks are currently on display as part of the Libraries’s BEAD PAINT CARVE exhibit, continuing until Dec. 24. To see more of her work, visit Small Feather Empire.