submitted by Jeanne Lambert
The Women Involved in the community of Bishop’s Mills hosted Patsea Griffin from the Thunderbird Sisters Collective on September 14. Seventeen women spent the evening learning about beading from Griffin. The BMWI organized this event as a positive local action step and doing our part in reconciliation as recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada to address the legacy of residential schools. Members and many guests worked on individual projects including beaded pins with designs of orange T- shirts, strawberries and the red dress.
Ms. Griffin shared information about the history of her family which includes many Voyageurs and Métis relations. A Citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario, Patsea learned beading the traditional way by watching her mother. She shared some of her knowledge at the workshop and every participant went away with a beaded pin (though many participants still had more beads to add as the process cannot be rushed!).
The meeting was followed by light refreshments provided by members of the WI. The group plans to host Griffin again to host a workshop to make porcupine quill earrings.
These Bishop’s Mills Women, along with their neighbours and friends, continue to work together and make a positive difference in the community. Plans for the next meeting are in the works.
For information about attending local meetings, please contact Jeanne Lambert at jeanne.lambert828@gmail.com or send a message through our Facebook page.
The Bishop’s Mills Women Involved group has been around since 1985, sharing stories and building community. The Bishop’s Mills WI holds monthly meetings and welcomes new members interested in meeting their neighbours and getting involved in their community.
If you are interested in finding out more about the larger scope of WI, see the Provincial organization’s website: www.fwio.on.ca.
