Participatory beading workshop with Kelly Back of Fire Loom Creations
Winston Room, Sullivan Student Center
Wednesday, March 4, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 5, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Honoring Indigenous Ways of Being and Knowing
Five Akwesasne Mohawk Artists-in-Residence
Above: Proposed belt design by Kelly Back
Students and others are welcome to join in making a beaded community belt. SLU will be able to keep the belt afterwards for public display. “Loom beading has been practiced by the Haudenosaunee since the 16th century. Perhaps the most widely recognized example of this technique among Haudenosaunee wampum belts is the Hiawatha belt. Produced on a loom ranging from 12 inches to 6 feet in length, these belts were not worn but rather used to document agreements and events. Learn about the evolution of this cultural artform, and how artist Kelly Back of Fire Loom Creations uses the same techniques to create custom pieces and award-winning art.”
A family-owned business, Fire Loom Creations makes custom beaded loomed belts for ceremonies, traditional weddings, and graduations. They have made over 200 beaded loomed belts and travel to demonstrate their craft at museums, host workshops and tours, and create community belts within schools and departments.
I was asked by the University gallery to do a two-day artist-in-residence community belt for St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. I sat in a gathering space/lunch area where students would gather in between classes. We had great crowds, great interest, even classes came to visit us to work on the belt. Most of the belt was done on campus and I brought it home to finish; once done I handed it in right away for the students and staff to see what they had made as a community!
They asked for a nature theme with strawberries, birds and the two row wampum belt. After given much thought on the design this is what was brought to life and they loved it! Once done we decided on the title “Protectors of the land.” With the eagle, always known to Haudenosaunee culture, being our guide and protector of our nations. The two row representing our relationship in Peace, Forever and Friendship. Together, as a community, we become protectors of the land! This belt will be displayed on campus. I also would love to highlight that many students had teachings about historical wampum belts so they were thrilled to learn the process similarities of how to loom beads. Always nice to hear their knowledge gain and interest in our culture! Niawen St. Lawrence University for having me!! It was an honor!!
-Kelly Back, Fire Loom Creations
Music by: Jessica Shanendoah/The Eagle Watches
16 inches in beadwork length on gold deer hide
Photographs of the community project are available on Flickr:
For more information, visit https://www.stlawu.edu/news/gallery-acquires-beaded-belt-akwesasne-artists. Funding provided by St. Lawrence University’s Arts Collaborative.