Braiding Sweetgrass Groups

Our groups had a busy and rewarding year in 2021. Adaptation has been our keyword for the past 2 years. Covid-19 has led us down many different paths. Our youth and women’s groups have been working on learning and retaining our history and culture, just in a different way. Zoom calls, social distancing, texting, and messaging have become a new way of life for us.

Donna Meader-York, in Township, ME, has two groups.

The Young Women’s Beading Circle meets virtually every week, providing social interaction and sharing knowledge and ideas. Girls 12 – 18 are welcome. Their mantra is “learn to bead, and you will never go hungry.”

The Women’s Circle was working on ribbon skirts when the pandemic hit and are currently keeping in touch through a Messenger group. During the pandemic, they are all keeping in touch with each other by virtually communicating to give everyone in the group support. These groups focus on traditional skills like sewing, beading, moccasin making, and more that will forever help them in life.

Kay Mattena, a UMASS Amherst college student leads our Braiding Sweetgrass group in Amherst, MA. With a group of Indigenous students, they gather for writing projects where they discuss Native American culture, beading, and other topics. Together they are finding and building a community so far from their homes.