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Stitching Ourselves Back Together: Urban Indigenous Women's Experience of Reconnecting with Identity Through Beadwork. by S

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Stitching Ourselves Back Together: Urban Indigenous Women's Experience of Reconnecting with Identity Through Beadwork. by S Stitching Ourselves Back Together: Urban Indigenous Women’s Experience of Reconnecting with Identity Through Beadwork. By Shawna Bowler B.A., University of Manitoba, 2005 B.S.W., University of Manitoba, 2009 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK In the School of Social Work © Shawna Bowler, 2020 The University of Victoria All rights reserved. This thesis may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without the permission of the author. ii Stitching Ourselves Back Together: Urban Indigenous Women’s Experience of Reconnecting with Identity Through Beadwork. By Shawna Bowler B.A., University of Manitoba, 2005 B.S.W., University of Manitoba, 2009 Supervisory Committee Dr. Jeannine Carriere, School of Social Work Supervisor Dr. Billie Allan, School of Social Work Departmental Member iii Abstract This thesis explores how urban Indigenous women experience reconnections to cultural identity when they take up the practice of traditional beadwork. A beading methodology was used to explore the experiences of five urban Indigenous women in Winnipeg. Within this methodology, stories and conversations about beadwork are used as a way to gather and share knowledge in research. Participants were asked to share their experience of identity reconnections through beadwork stories. The major elements of this beading methodology and its underlying theoretical, epistemological and ontological roots are told through the story of the beaded medicine bags that were created for and gifted to each participant for the knowledge they contributed to this research. The author’s own beaded medicine bag is also used as a framework for a thematic analysis and discussion of the research findings. The themes identified through this analysis suggest beading as a multi-faceted and action-oriented approach that facilitates processes of journeying, remembering, relationships, asserting the self and healing that urban Indigenous women experience through their engagement with this practice. This thesis concludes by highlighting some of the important implications of beading as an Indigenous way of knowing, being and doing in social work practice and research to promote decolonization, resiliency, wellness and healing in our work with Indigenous communities. iv Table of Contents Supervisory Committee ....................................................................................................... ii Abstract ................................................................................................................................ iii Table of Contents ................................................................................................................ iv List of Figures .................................................................................................................... viii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................. ix Dedication ............................................................................................................................. x Chapter One: Introduction ................................................................................................ 1 Research Intentions ............................................................................................. 2 Kookum’s Beaded Necklace ............................................................................... 3 Question of Interest ............................................................................................. 7 Chapter Two: Unravelling the Stitches: The context of Beadwork .............................. 9 Literature Review ................................................................................................ 9 Colonial Beads ......................................................................................... 10 Creative Art and Indigenous Healing ..................................................... 12 Beading Research Methods ..................................................................... 13 Beading as Epistemology ........................................................................ 15 Summary .................................................................................................. 17 Chapter Three: Methodology ......................................................................................... 18 Beading Methodology ....................................................................................... 19 Beaded Medicine Bags ............................................................................ 21 Relational Accountability ........................................................................ 22 Beading Epistemology ............................................................................. 23 Wholistic Knowledges ............................................................................. 24 v Spirit Beads ............................................................................................. 25 Beading Stories ........................................................................................ 27 Reflections ............................................................................................... 29 Chapter Four: Research Process ..................................................................................... 30 Ethical Considerations ...................................................................................... 30 Participants ........................................................................................................ 31 Recruitment ............................................................................................. 31 Informed Consent .................................................................................... 32 Confidentiality & Anonymity .................................................................. 34 Research Settings .............................................................................................. 35 Research Preparations ....................................................................................... 35 Gathering Beading Stories ................................................................................ 36 Preparing Beading Stories ................................................................................. 37 Reflections on the Process ................................................................................ 39 Chapter Five: Beading Stories ......................................................................................... 41 Violet’s Beading Story ...................................................................................... 41 Amy’s Beading Story ........................................................................................ 49 Roberta’s Beading Story ................................................................................... 57 Tamara’s Beading Story.................................................................................... 66 Crystal’s Beading Story ................................................................................... 75 Chapter Six: My Beaded Medicine Bag: A Framework for Analysis .......................... 87 My Beading Journey ......................................................................................... 87 Thematic Analysis............................................................................................. 90 Recognizing Beadwork Patterns ....................................................................... 91 Medicine Bag Framework ................................................................................. 92 vi Chapter Seven: Findings & Discussion ........................................................................... 95 Beading Journeys .............................................................................................. 96 Self-Research ........................................................................................... 96 Seeking Guidance .................................................................................... 98 Remembering .................................................................................................... 99 Blood Memory ....................................................................................... 100 Grandmothers ........................................................................................ 101 Teachings ............................................................................................... 101 Place & Purpose .................................................................................... 103 Relationships ................................................................................................... 103 Land ....................................................................................................... 104 Family .................................................................................................... 105 Indigenous Community ......................................................................... 106 Culture & Traditions .............................................................................. 108 Asserting Ourselves ........................................................................................ 109 Expressing Identity Through Beadwork ................................................ 110 Beading Practice as Decolonization & Resistance ................................ 113 Continuity
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