Beading Bee allows students to ‘meet and learn from each other’

 What’s that buzz around campus?

That would be the Beading Bee.

The Beading Bee is a series of workshops designed to teach students about Native American culture through bead work. Becca Riall, chair of the Native American Graduate Student Association, teamed up with Deeksha Nagar, curator of education for the Mathers Museum, to make these events available throughout the semester. 

They came up with the idea after hosting similar workshops that received a great deal of interest.

“Over the summer we hosted a workshop on Native American bead work that was taught by Maryland Cleveland. It was very successful,” Nagar said. “As people were involved it just seemed natural, and we felt there should be a way for people with interest to meet and learn from each other.”

People are encouraged to come and participate whether they are beginners or veterans. Nagar said newcomers will be provided with beading kits from First Nations Education and Culture Center. These workshops are very relaxed and informal.

“It’s like if you would go over to your neighbor’s house,” Riall said. 

The first of three workshops was held Thursday night in the office conference room of the Mathers Museum. The turnout was successful as long-time bead worker Cleveland and other skilled bead workers taught the beginners how to hand-make bracelets with intricate patterns. Cleveland taught newcomers her technique. 

“My grandma taught me Cherokee with no knots, and it can be cut up and won’t come apart,” Cleveland said. 

Riall and Nagar said beading is a good representation of Native American culture.

“Beading is a bonding tool,” Nagar said. “I’m hoping this could be a gathering to form relationships.” 

She also said beading is a way to reconnect back with the earth and ease the mind.
“If you are tired, worried or agitated, just hold a bead,” she said.

Sophomore Adara Middleton and junior Shalana Siniard were among the participants at the Beading Bee. Siniard is an experienced bead worker, and she said she enjoys making a variety of things. 

“Mostly with beading, I’m kind of off to the side with basket weaving,” she said. 

Middleton has not been beading for very long, although her family has. 

“My favorite part is just being with my family,” she said.

The Beading Bee received its name because Nagar believed there were many similarities between bead working and bees. She said that finished bead work can resemble a bee hive with all the complex and intricate patterns. 

Nagar said she also believes that bees are hardworking, just like the people who participate in bead work.

The next two workshops will be on Oct. 16 and Nov. 20. Both will be in the office conference room of the Mathers Museum. These workshops are open to the public and free.

“I really hope that members of this group can come back,” Nagar said.