Connections offering free Indigenous Crafts workshops to build understanding

Craig Bakay | Feb 05, 2020

Connections Adult Learning is offering the free workshop Introduction to Indigenous Crafts on consecutive Tuesdays from Feb. 4 to March 10 at both its locations in Sharbot Lake and Northbrook (9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at both sites).

As of this writing (Feb. 4), there were still openings in Sharbot Lake (613-279-2499) and three spots in Northbrook (613-336-0691).

Connections executive director Joyce Bigelow said the courses being offered are part of the Hands-on portion of the Sioux Hudson Literacy Channel program, a non-profit literacy and basic skills organization in Sioux Lookout that offers courses on everything from reading, writing and math essential skills, preparation for post-secondary credits, art and photography to preparing for the zombie apocalypse.

“We’re not quite ready for that last one,” Bigelow said. “But both our organizations are funded by the Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development.”

Bigelow said they use five online channels. This one is the Native Stream and recommends blended learning — some online and some in person instruction.

She said they chose this course in an effort to foster understanding of First Nations culture through the arts.
“I’d really like to thank the Shabot Obaadjiwan for their help in this,” she said. “In the last two classes, we’ll be looking at feathers and what they represent.

“We hope to have someone from that community to join us for those classes.”
She said there is more to feather crafts than just the obvious aesthetics aspects.
“Feathers represent community,” she said. “All the little bits of a feather and all the feathers have to work together for a bird to fly.

“We have to work together with the indigenous community and we need mutual respect to work together.
“Understanding is the first step towards that.”

The workshops will include creating a beaded rosette medallion necklace, dying and painting feathers, getting quick feather jewelry ideas, learning to do thread work on feathers, and making individualized smudging fans.

Materials required include scissors, glue (E600 or Weldbond suggested) and used gift cards or hotel card for stiffness.

Connections will be offering a makeup class for those who missed the introductory class on Tuesday. The class will be on Monday, Feb. 10 and people can sign up for that class anytime up to the beginning of the class at 9:30 a.m.