Honoring Indigenous Ways of Being and Knowing
Five Akwesasne Mohawk Artists-in-Residence

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.

For more information, visit https://www.stlawu.edu/news/gallery-acquires-beaded-belt-akwesasne-artists. 

Funding provided by St. Lawrence University’s Arts Collaborative.