Kimberley Mackeinzo began beading during the Covid-19 pandemic as a way to ground herself and better understand who she is as an Indigenous person.
Mackeinzo, a Sahtu Beneficiary from Délı̨nę, is November's Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley beading artist of the month, chosen for her “Lest We Forget” poppy-themed earrings.
The pandemic "was a very isolating time of everybody’s lives, especially for me, somebody who is in recovery,” she explained, noting she has been sober since 2018.
A series of poppy earrings by Kimberley Mackeinzo. Sarah Pruys/Cabin Radio
“I reverted back to what I know. And in my case, it was my mom teaching me how to utilize my traditional skills and use that to move forward in my life.”
She chose the theme of poppies in honour of Remembrance Day and Indigenous Veterans Day, and to challenge all people in Canada never to forget sacrifices made by all soldiers for human rights – and to keep fighting for rights today.
“Stand with your First Nations brothers and sisters and help us define our human rights as we did overseas so many years ago," she wrote of her chosen theme.
"Take time to learn about our history and treaties. Demand an inquiry for our missing and murdered women. Don’t stand for inequitable service provisions in our communities."
Life lessons in beading
Mackeinzo was taught how to bead by her mother, who was taught by Mackeinzo’s grandmother. It’s a part of her history.
“I have since then kept this strong traditional knowledge with me. My ama and ?ehtsee passed on to the spirit world when I was a young girl, so it was very important for my mom to teach me something that was passed down to her,” she explained.
A submitted photo of Kimberley Mackeinzo.
When she began beading, her mother gave her two moccasin uppers to complete, which Mackeinzo did in record time – until her mom examined her work and realized she hadn’t tacked down each bead individually.
“She cut all the beads off the front of the upper and made me do it again … it was very important for her to teach me the important values of life and that cheating was not the way to go.”
A pair of earrings shared on Kimberley Mackeinzo's Instagram page, @emptynest_beads.
By stitching down one bead at a time, the beads are much better secured and the piece will last much longer.
Mackeinzo said she finds beading healing because it keeps her grounded in the present, in a time where it's so easy to get distracted.
A series of animal print earrings by Kimberley Mackeinzo. Photo: Kimberley Mackeinzo
“You really have no choice but to just really focus on the project that you're working on,” she explained.
“[It’s] healing at the same time, because you’re beading one at a time. It can just really put you in the moment – really focusing and then thinking about your life in general, and your ancestors, more importantly, like the things that they needed to do to continue their traditional ways.”
Mackeinzo's art incorporates styles and patterns from her family, often with a modern twist.
Earrings by Kimberley Mackeinzo. Photo: Kimberley Mackeinzo
“I tweak what I need to tweak, just to make it my own style and my personality. I like to think that I have a bubbly personality, and so I like playing with colours.”
Beading makes her feel connected to her ama and ?ehtsee, she said.
"I honour them and honour myself especially on this beading journey. I sometimes put aside my beading as I figure out how to navigate through life and regain focus and start again, and move forward the best way I know how to.”
Empty Nest Beads
Mackeinzo shares her work on her Instagram page, @emptynest_beads.
“I'm excited to start working more on my beadwork,” she said, noting it's a humbling experience to see people wearing her creations.
“They just wear them so proudly, and it makes me very proud.”
The Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley have launched a year-long Indigenous flower beading series that celebrates and promotes northern Indigenous beadwork.
All artists who submit work will receive $25 for each month they propose a theme and idea for a beaded flower. The artist whose theme and flower are selected for each month will receive an additional $250.
To submit a theme and idea for an accompanying flower design, contact the boards through the new Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley Facebook page, or call Christan at 867-765-4592.
