When It All Falls Away (2020)

This convocation stole was beaded for a 2021 JD graduate whose mother’s name is Robin.

On the stole, a robin supports a branch carrying seven saskatoons. Saskatoons are abundant on the trees outside Fauteux Hall, and the number seven is a nod to the 7 grandfather teachings, which are held as sacred laws by many Indigenous peoples. 

The matte beads of her chest are beaded around an invisible heart; a mum’s love.

There is a break in the branch, where a vine made up of tiny tiny flowers falls away from heartberries. Each berry is unique and beaded using beads gifted to the Beauty of Beaders by participants, supporters, and community members. As the heartberries cascade down the vine they lose their pretence and the stole ends in love, nestled in 24 karat gold-plated firepolished beads.

The robin tweets four flowers in the colours of quahog shell, often used to create the beads woven into wampum belts.

When it all falls away, we carry the seven sacred teachings, the love of the matriarchs, teachings offered and earned. In spaces of love we find our voices to sing Indigenous legal resurgence, from the treetops.