There are many stories in a bead. We must listen to the stories they tell us. Tessa loves how her grandmother always smells of campfire stories. Mom says it's because Kohkom spends her days sewing beautiful beads onto smoked hides. Inspired, Tessa asks Kohkom to teach her beading, but first she must listen and learn the many stories held in a bead. Dual language edition in Ininîmowin (Cree N-dialect) and English. Tessa loves how her grandmother always smells of campfire stories. Mom says it's because Kohkom spends her days sewing beautiful beads onto smoked hides. Inspired, Tessa asks Kohkom to teach her beading, but first she must listen and learn about the many stories held in a bead.
This dual language edition contains the story in both Ininîmowin (Cree, N-dialect) and English. Key Selling Points:
• Offers the opportunity for young people to learn about beadwork, a cultural tradition of many Indigenous groups across Turtle Island.
• This dual language edition offers a language resource for Cree speakers and learners, and an introduction to the language. The translators are Cree language speakers from illustrator Tessa Pizzale's community.
• Author Kelsey Borgford describes beadwork as a key connection to family, community, and self sustenance.
• Borgford was inspired by her friend Tessa Pizzale's story, and asked her to illustrate the book.
• Kelsey Borgford was a finalist for the Indigenous Voices Award in the Unpublished Poetry in English category. Her poetry collection Once the Smudge is Lit is forthcoming with Kegedonce Publishing in Fall 2023.
• Tessa Pizzale is an interdisciplinary artist who illustrates, paints and creates different Indigenous crafts including regalia leather belts, ribbon skirts, and beadwork. She learned a lot of her craftsmanship from her late grandmother and her mother.
"The story is a beautiful look into the importance of beading in our communities and the ways that this art practice ties us together as families and communities."
