Jacqueline Gibbon of Wildrose Beadwork

Jacqueline Gibbon of Wildrose Beadwork

Roots: Edmonton

Now calls home: Edmonton

tan’si hello my name is Jacqueline Gibbon and I am metis, nehiyaw and euro iskwew based out of amiskwaciy waskikhan. I currently attend the U of A in the faculty of native studies, and run the crafting account @Wildrose_beadwork. I am a metis jigging teacher, jingle dress dancer, and currently work at Fort Edmonton Park as an Indigenous Peoples Interpreter. As a beadworker, I often make earrings, necklaces, medallions, pins, beaded hats, graduation caps, and so much more! I work with other materials such as hide, making pouches, moccasins and mukluks. I love to sew, having completed jingle dresses and many ribbon skirts! I also use other materials such as elk teeth, dentalium and shells, especially for earrings and necklaces. Recently, I have learned the traditional sinew making process, and try to incorporate materials I have made myself as often as I can!

tan’si, jacqueline gibbon nitsakason ekwa amiskwaciy waskikhan ochi niya. niya otipemisiwak ekwa nehiyaw iskwew. I started beading in my teens, I learned from friends, my sister, my cousin. nichapan Mary used to bead a lot, but my whole life I’ve only seen one piece of her work in person, a black velveteen beaded purse. I’ve always admired the beautiful florals,the mouse tracks, the hearts. The IRS system stole family tradition from us, and although my grandma and mom don’t bead and craft, I do. I am so passionate about creating, it has brought so much good into my life. I am so grateful to be able to be able to practice these aspects of my culture. And I am incredibly proud to dedicate myself to cultural preservation and revitalization. I work with a variety of mediums. As a beadworker, I make jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, bracelets, hair pins, beaded hats, lapel pins, patches and more! What is more, I bead pieces for pow wow regalia, having made full sets with beaded hair ties, choker, headband, earrings, as well as leggings, moccasins etc.! I also love working with dentalium, a shell from the west coast that was traded far across turtle island. I also do hide work, making moccasins, mukluks, and traditional pouches. Smoked hide his like gold, and the smell is the best addition to my workspace. I sew, having made my own jingle dresses, and have made may ribbon skirts as well! I work with furs such rabbit and beaver, do quillwork, and other traditional materials with elk teeth, and cowrie shells! Finally, I have learned how to make sinew the traditional way, prepare elk legs for traditional dew claw bags, and worked on brain tanning hides. As often as I can, I try and work with these materials that I have prepared myself, as it will strengthen our relationship with the land!