Red Dress Awareness Workshop
Sparrow Arts Society
Date/Time: Sunday, February 16, 2025, 6 – 8pm
For adults, no experience required, free with registration
This workshop is part of the Arts & Culture Sparrow Workshop Series gratefully funded by the City of Calgary @cityofcalgary.
Create your own beaded red dress pin and learn about the significance of the red dress symbol in raising awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people. Artist Pearl White Quills will teach edge beading technique with other teachings and storytelling. We are also honoured to have Jackie Bromley join us – she is an Elder involved in several social initiatives helping improve the lives of Indigenous people and preserving culture.
Pearl White Quills is from the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy), Niitsitapi(The Real People) Siksika, Kainai and Amskapi Piikani Nations. Blessed with the name Aa koa miyanist tsi’nih kiaki ~ Sings Many Different Songs Woman, Pearl is the owner and founder of Bright Swan Creations, which began simply with beads, needles, thread and earring hooks in 2008, bringing her skills back to life from childhood knowledge. By 2012, Pearl and her children began selling her beadwork on small displays walking around the pow wows. In 2013, she gained basic sewing skills. By 2016 drum and songs began to play a significant role in her life. In 2019 her and her grandson were initiated into pow wow.
Facilitating workshops in all these areas is the highlight to pass teachings on to many. Bright Swan Creations mission statement is: Empowering First Nations in all forms of artistry having our Spirituality as the foundation. Inspiring healing throught unity, as one.
