Bead the Tract.
The Bead the Tract initiative was conceptualized by Protect the Tract volunteers. When discussing how to educate the public on Haudenosaunee history and culture, the traditional practice of raised beadwork was the inspiration for creating the most beautiful map to honour the Haudenosaunee connection to the Grand River watershed.
Beadwork Artists.
The beaded map is currently being designed by four Haudenosaunee raised beadwork artists.
Artists will be in residence at Longhouse Labs at the University of Waterloo June 19-23, 2023.
The completed map will be on display starting in 2024 at McMaster University.
Our goal is to use beadwork and our beaded map to spark conversations about culture, history, and land stewardship along the Grand River.
“Since beads came to the Haudenosaunee, we have always had raised beadwork. It is a cultural practice that has always existed, it has never needed to be revitalized. We have always done it.”
-Grant Jonathan, Tuscarora Raised Beadwork Historian
Host a Bead the Tract Workshop
Bead the Tract collaborators are available to come to your class, workplace, or event to share Haudenosaunee beadwork techniques and share the history of the Haudenosaunee people along the Grand River.
these engaging workshops take between one to three hours to complete and each participant will take home their own beaded creation.