Beadwork made with ‘heart and ancestors’
By: Easton Penner
Lori Bateman started beading as a way to heal after her son was murdered in Winnipeg.
“I feel like he brought me to this,” said Bateman. “It’s brought me so much joy, and it feels good to create beautiful things for people.”
Lori Bateman started her beading business, Beader Believe it, three years ago.
Beading is a type of Indigenous art where artists string, sew, weave or embroider decorative beads on clothing, jewelry or canvas.
She said she paints symbols, like animals, as a way to express her emotional state and thoughts.
She’s a Sixties Scoop survivor and was adopted when she was a one-year-old.
“I learned all this to bring my culture back because it was stolen from me,” said Bateman.
There were four different Indigenous small businesses at the RRC Polytech Fall Market on Oct. 2.
Waabiski Maa’ngan Ikwe – which translates to White Wolf Woman – is the owner of From Turtle Island, a small Indigenous beading business.
Ikwe said beading is growing in Manitoba and it’s important because each person has their own style.
It’s definitely an oversaturated market, but not in a bad way,” said Ikwe. “Everyone’s work has its own story, it’s made with ancestors and heart.”
Ikwe also hosts a beading workshop for younger children.
She said it helps the kids calm down and focus, even if they have issues doing so.
“One parent told me nothing ever worked for their child’s ADHD until this,” said Ikwe. “I’ve taught kids as young as five or six. They can’t sit still — until they start beading.”
Indigenous artist Diana Dreaver was also selling her art and beading at the Fall Market.
She first started painting two years ago when she went into treatment for addiction to help her recovery while also leaving a toxic relationship at the same time. She started beading last year.
“It’s definitely helped me heal,” said Dreaver. “I truly believe that you need to connect with your spirituality to be able to heal.”
Through her artwork, Dreaver started to feel closer to her culture.
She said she wasn’t close to her culture before and felt something was missing in her life. But after starting her own art business, she feels more whole.
Prior to this, I wasn’t very culturally sensitive. I didn’t follow any of my practices or spirituality,” said Dreaver. “I felt like that was missing in my life.”
Before the RRC Fall Market, more than 80 Indigenous businesses were at the RBC Convention Centre for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Dreaver said it’s important that Indigenous artists are showcased to inspire others to follow their dreams in life.
It’s inspiring and motivating for people to see other Aboriginal people doing well,” said Bateman. “It makes it known that if (Indigenous people) have goals, they can achieve them.”
