Beads of resilience: Red River Métis artists reviving a cultural tradition

May 1, 2025

_{MMF Spotlight sat down with four Red River Métis beadwork artists who are preserving tradition and revitalizing the art of beading in the Homeland.}

The skill of beading extends beyond meticulously detailed work, colour selections, and designs. The Red River Métis, also referred to as the Flower Beadwork People, have preserved their rich heritage and family pride through beading. Red River Métis beadwork became renowned for its unique floral design inspired by prairie flowers found across the Homeland.

In honour of I Love to Bead Month, MMF Spotlight sat down with four Red River Métis artisans who are sharing the vibrant history of Red River Métis beadwork and keeping the art of traditional beading alive in the Homeland.

Danielle and Gabrielle Desrochers

_{Danielle and Gabrielle Desrochers were first introduced to beading by their older sister, Julie; they now run a successful business specializing in commissioned beadwork and community workshops.}

Danielle and Gabrielle Desrochers started their beading journey during their time as interpreters at the Riel House National Historic Site but were first introduced to the art form by their older sister, Julie. As they got more comfortable with beading, they were ready to bring their Red River Métis culture into the community through beadwork.

"Our whole family are Métis Citizens with the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF). We're all Harvesters with the MMF as well," said Gabrielle. "I would say our relationship with the MMF is probably, in a lot of ways, through beadwork... we've done a lot of workshops with the MMF and we've done a lot of commissioned work for the MMF."

Danielle described beading as a way to connect with the rich history of the Red River Métis and their ancestors.

"I remember thinking on the rainy days (at Riel House) when I was beading there at the table, how all the women - all the Riel women, who would have beaded at that table in the past... (I) just kind of picture myself in their shoes," said Danielle. "It was humbling to be able to do something that they did, the exact same thing, and really connect with them in that way."

The sisters emphasized the importance of making the historic art form more accessible for Citizens to participate in.

"We understand why we don't understand our (Red River Métis) history, through (the impacts of) colonization and by being pushed out from our culture," said Gabrielle. "But now, we are seeing such a resurgence and people wanting to understand their roots and wanting to understand what their history is... the most important piece is being able to tell people and show them this is what we do. (Beading) is what we did as a people, and (Citizens) deserve to (participate) and we want to continue to share it."

In 2020, Gabrielle and Danielle started Prairie Owl Beads with their sisters Julie and Roxane, and have grown their business beyond selling their beadwork.

"The four of us came together and became Prairie Owl Beads and it was not only a way for us to bead and sell our work, but also to bring those workshops into the community," said Danielle. "There was a certain point when I was teaching three nights a week, on top of a full-time job. (It has been) very rewarding and we're trying to work with new partners and offer workshops in different spaces, different capacities. I am also exploring doing some outdoor stuff this summer as the weather becomes nicer. Just trying to find all the different ways to making beading accessible to anyone."

Melanie Gamache

_{Melanie Gamache describes beading as her "medicine," connecting the art form to her overall health and well-being.}

Melanie Gamache has spent the last decade perfecting her craft as a beading artisan.

"It was actually a friend of mine (who) sat down at the kitchen table and showed me her (beading) process," said Gamache. "So, I started that night and ever since then, it's just been a journey of discovering what I like to call 'the stories hidden behind beadwork.' The more I got into beadwork, the more I wanted to know what wasn't seen with the beadwork but (the reason) behind the beadwork."

The Red River Métis artisan did not have intentions of expanding her passion beyond a hobby, but the more she created, the more she realized just how healing it was for her.

"One of the things that I like to share is that I didn't realize how much I needed beading," she said. "I had something happen a year prior and I wasn't in a very good headspace. By using beading as my medicine, I was able to work through that... when I started beading, it became this black hole of discovery and learning and it's been an incredible journey."

Gamache's beading journey led to the development of her business, Borealis Beading, and creating what she describes as "Métis cultural learning experiences."

"When I do showcase beading, there's a lot of historical and cultural connection (and) stories about how food and art and beadwork are all intertwined, so that's why I refer to what I do as Métis cultural learning experiences now instead of workshops - it's more than just coming to make something," she said. "I just really enjoy sharing the stories that I've learned through the people that have the knowledge."

Early in her beading journey, Gamache attended beading workshops offered by Louis Riel Institute. The workshops offered the opportunity to expand on her craft and connect with other beaders, further enriching her experience as an artist and Red River Métis Citizen.

"I was really able to make some good connections there. Jennine (Krauchi), she's inspired so many Métis beaders and Indigenous beaders to learn about the culture," she said. "Beading circles are how connections are made - by attending the beading circle, I made some friends, and it was really nice to see that there were a lot of other people that were of the same mindset. They had the same inspiration, and they really wanted to learn more about beading."

Gamache also noted that beading circles are an opportunity to learn about your culture and adopt beading in a way that suits the individual best.

"You have to take it and run with it in the way that works best for you, because what works for me may not work for the next person. But if you take what you know and then you just start diving into to what really inspires you then you can make it your own journey," she said. "The beading circle was one of the ones that helped me keep going with beading and continue with my passion. So, it's become my life really."

Jennine Krauchi

_{Jennine Krauchi is a world-renowned master beadwork artist who brings beadwork back to the community through her art and mentorship.}

Jennine Krauchi is a world-renowned master beadwork artist. She is known for keeping the beadwork tradition alive and bringing beadwork to the community through her art and mentorship, a value that was instilled in her by her parents.

"My mom did a lot of beadwork and my dad sewed. So, I watched her and I'm a late starter as far as beading because it wasn't until my late 30s, early 40s... I would say it changed my life," she said. "I never thought at that time that I'd be known as a beader. It was my parents that really instilled in me to pass it on, that we have to in order to keep it alive."

The artist recently hosted Crafting Wellness - Mind+Body... at a cost, a workshop that discussed the overall impacts of beading on the mind and body through the C2 Centre for Craft, a project of the Manitoba Craft Council and the Manitoba Crafts Museum and Library.

"Sometimes (beading is) hard on the back or in the hands, but in in the long run, I think what it does is really relax you," she said. "And while you're relaxed, you think about those women that came before you. You think about your own family, and you have all these really good thoughts because you cannot do beadwork when you're angry, mad, or stressed - it can destress you."

The master beader appreciates the storytelling that contributes to beading and incorporates it into all of her pieces.

"I always want to know what I'm doing, who I'm going to do it for or what I'm going to do it for so I can put a bit of a story in the beadwork. Now, not all beadwork has a story, but if I'm making something for say, President Chartrand, there's a story behind that beadwork. You know his mom is in there, his family is there, there's all kinds of different little things, but (it's) just really personally his (piece)," she said. "And once I do that, it's their story to tell. It's them and their beadwork pieces. Those designs will never be used again, and I don't even let anybody photograph those patterns. So, it's a very personal relationship and that's why I think with President Chartrand it has been a personal relationship and journey."

Krauchi has maintained a close relationship with the MMF and recalled the days of working with President Chartrand early in his presidency.

"I think it was the second year that President Chartrand was elected... the relationship started with doing a jacket for him," she said. "And from then on, it's almost like President Chartrand and myself, we had this path together along the way making him things, and he has always worn beadwork from that time on. It seemed like he always needed beadwork and he's promoted me. So, it's been a lifelong relationship with the Manitoba Métis Federation."

The MMF carries on the tradition of beading by hosting workshops and tutorials to introduce beading into the community. If you're interested in a beading workshop in your Region, stay up to date with the MMF's events page.

 

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