Alliance Française du Manitoba

Metis Beadwork Workshops lead by Jennine Krauchi (Manitoba)

October 1^st and/or 2^nd, 2011
Saint-Boniface Museum
(494 Tache Avenue – Winnipeg)

In the context of the Farandole project, the Alliance Française du Manitoba is offering Metis beadwork workshops lead by Jennine Krauchi, skilled Manitoba artisan.

Jennine Krauchi
Jennine is a celebrated Metis artisan of Ojibwa descent. She has made beaded clothes for public figures and political leaders such as former Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin, President of the Metis National Council Clément Chartier, and the President of the Manitoba Metis Federation, David Chartrand. Jennine Krauchi has replicated items for several museums in Canada, in Scotland, and in France. In 2009, she was nominated for a National Aboriginal Achievement Award in the category of arts.

Metis Beadwork
In the late 18th century, Metis women from the Great Lakes and Red River area of Manitoba sewed moccasins, tobacco pouches, saddles, gloves and clothes decorated with bright colourful beads and silks that caught the eye of travellers. These imaginative women developed a distinctive floral design that would become the most widely used style among the Metis throughout the 19th century. Natives referred to them as the “Flower Beadwork People” because of this style. In developing this trademark style, the Metis women have given Canadians a piece of unique cultural heritage.