This book is an excellent example of research-creation, showing that beadwork is so much more than just a craft; it is high-level theory. It creates a much-needed space for Indigenous academics to look at how beading functions in our lives today. Instead of just looking at the finished product, the text explores what the act of beading does for our kinship practices and how it helps sustain our communities. It’s impressive how it follows the thread of beadwork through so many different areas, from history, health, sexual exploration, to modern artistic expression, proving that it’s a vital way of keeping our stories and connections alive.
Deadly.
The structure of the book feels very intentional, moving from personal connection to deeper analysis. By starting with “conversations” and interviews with the artists, the book honors the way we share knowledge – by visiting, by asking questions, by listening. Then, by moving into the three formal essays (Part Two), it helps ground those personal stories in a broader academic context. This transition makes it clear that our traditional practices aren’t just part of the past; they are intellectual tools that help us make sense of the modern world.
I’ve really enjoyed this book because it speaks to me as both an emerging artist and an academic. It satisfies that deep need to see our creative practices and intellectual work treated as one and the same. I’ve already read through it a few times, and every time I do, I find myself circling a new insight or scribbling an idea in the margins. It’s the kind of book that belongs on every artist’s shelf.
Favourite Quote (today):
“Our lives are the richer when we are surrounded by the colours, textures, and patterns – particularly those produced in beads – that are, in effect, the visual expression of our emotions, our sense of self, and our relationships to one another and the world around us.” (X)
Read: April 2026
Score: 8/10 – Loved this, keep coming back to. It’s like listening to your favourite auntie artists talk about art and inspiration and methodology and it also has amazing images within. A staple for every artist experimenting with beadwork.
Book: Bead Talk – Indigenous Knowledge and Aesthetics from the Flatlands. Edited by Carmen Robertson, Judy Anderson, and Katherine Boyer.
MLA: Robertson, Carmen, et al. Bead Talk: Indigenous Knowledge and Aesthetics from the Flatlands. University of Manitoba Press, 2024.
