Students Create Beautiful Beaded Medallion Flowers and Learn Ojibway Traditions Along the Way
Students in Ms. Orr and Mrs. Jordain's grade 5 Ojibway Language classes gathered recently for a beading (wanabidohige) session. Over the course of a four-day session students learned how to design and bead their own flower medallions all while being taught the Ojibway language and traditional teachings.
Aboriginal Resource Teacher Shelly Tom taught the students the history, traditions and significance of the beading. "It was important to not only teach the students the art of beading but I also wanted them to know the traditions. I explained that Aboriginal people used different patterns to distinguish between the different groups of Aboriginal people. For example, the Sioux people were distinguished by their sharp, pointy bead patterns, while the Ojibway people use flower pattern. I also explained that in the culture, when a child is born their parents would offer tobacco to an Elder for the child's spirit name and their colours. Each Aboriginal person would have their own distinct colours that they would use throughout their lifetime. Those colours would be used in their beading patterns. That is why today you see certain ribbon colours used in regalia."
One of the students commented, "I loved the beading session. It was very interesting to learn about the traditions. I can't wait to get home to show my mom what I learned."
A special thank you to Aboriginal Resource Teacher, Shelly Tom for spending time in the class teaching the art of beading.