Since the beginning of my time she has planted the seeds of our shared identity and our culture within me. She has watered those seeds with knowledge through her story telling abilities and her work within The Six Nations community at The Birthing Centre. Those seeds rooted, grew and blossomed into who I am today, how I identify proudly as a Kanien'kehá:ka woman, and my everlasting commitment to protect and preserve my culture, traditions and ceremony for my current/future generations.

Beading has been a part of my healing journey spiritually, mentally and generationally. It has become a passion that has replaced unhealthy coping mechanisms, brought me peace in times of anxiety, and has helped me reclaim a piece of my Indigenous identity. Although my beading abilities were self-taught, my creative passion to explore more of my Indigenous identity would simply not exist if it were not for my Gram. With that being a truth, I fear there are some people within our community that view self teaching parts of our Indigenous identity as in-valid or not Indigenous enough. Some people even take it a step further and use that belief as a way to disassociate from and exclude.

Experiencing views and behaviour such as this has been extremely disheartening, but like my Gram, I remain resilient and persevere through any dispiriting judgements cast upon me.

I hope that my story and beadwork inspires other Indigenous peoples like me and instills an impenetrable truth within them; you are Indigenous enough.

Niá:Wen
Taylor