Ohneka Healing Project Workshops

Ribbon Skirt Workshop - Akwesasne

The Indigenous Arts Collective partnered with Akwesasne local, Morgan Roundpoint, to facilitate a special ribbon skirt workshop for young girls and their families.

The ribbon skirt represents a symbol of Womanhood. It is an identifying piece that connects you to the Earth and Grandmother moon.

Morgan's vision for this workshop was to have young girls from Akwesasne spend quality time with their Ista/Auntie/Tota and create their very own ribbon skirt.

Most of the girls who joined this workshop had never sewed before. These girls jumped in and had a great time choosing the fabric, learning ironing, basic sewing machine skills, and how to create a ribbon skirt from scratch.

Afterwards they even decided to make little pouches and doll ribbon skirts for their stuffed animals and labubu doll with the extra materials.

A big thank you goes to Morgan Roundpoint for her amazing workshop facilitation. We are so grateful to be able to support community workshops that teach Indigenous youth about traditional artforms, ways of knowing and collaboration.

Basket Workshops - Tyendinaga

As part of our project, the Indigenous Arts Collective hosted two traditional basket workshops in Tyendinaga at the Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle. The workshops included Black Ash Purse Baskets facilitated by Akwesasne local and owner of Good Mind Design, Angello Johnson, and Sweetgrass and Black Ash Fancy Baskets (with lids) facilitated by IAC member and owner of Chill Baskets, Carrie Hill.
Thank you to Angello and Carrie for your hard work, patience and guidance during the two-day workshops. Thank you to our workshop participants for being so engaged and dedicated to learning this craft. I know we all have a newfound appreciation and a much better understanding of the time, energy and effort that goes into the set-up and creation of these beautiful baskets. We would also like to thank Dawn Iehstoseranónnha for coordinating this amazing weekend, and the staff at the Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle, specifically Julie Brant, for allowing us to use this space and make these workshops possible.
We are so thankful to be able to support this artform, and we want to take the time to thank all the basket-makers out there who are able to preserve these skills and knowledge through teaching.

Ribbon Skirt Workshop - Tyendinaga

Continuing our work, the Indigenous Arts Collective hosted a two day ribbon skirt sewing workshop in Tyendinaga. The workshops were facilitated by IAC member, Darlene Maracle of Aksótha Designs & Fabrics. Darlene led an amazing workshop, and provided innovative ideas, guidance, and encouragement.
Thank you Darlene and Dawn Iehstoseranónnha for coordinating this workshop. We are happy to provide opportunities for Indigenous women to learn these great skills and form relationships with those in their community.