Beadwork is a longstanding tradition in many Indigenous cultures. It's not simply a crafty hobby for many modern beadworkers—it's an important and significant way to preserve traditions and further connect with their culture and roots.
One Indigenous artist came up with a creative project to get other beadwork artists to connect to their culture and roots further.
After having beaded her own state, Alaska, she had a great idea.
"Bead your state in your style so I can include it in this map!," she wrote in the post, later adding Canada.
I mean, just look at this submission by Nancy Brown-Garcia from Mishowomet band of Narragansett Indian Tribe in Rhode Island.
For example, this Wisconsin design by Annalei Borkowski of Métis Descent fuses the tradition of beadwork with the state's football team.
"Sometimes I put out designs, and I thought the state thing would be cool since everyone is in self-isolation or quarantine. It will give people a chance to be artistic, practice some culture, but also be a part of something larger than their couch," she told CBC reporter Jessica Deer.
This is what the map looks like so far, and it might be the most gorgeous map we've seen of the continent yet.
Be sure to head to DeeJay's Instagram page to view the map's progress and search the hashtag #beadyourstate and #beadyourprovince to see more.
And if you're an Indigenous artist, definitely create your own and submit your finished product!
h/t: CBC
