In some Native American cultures, a bracelet means more than just a few beads on a string – it is also a unique symbol of who its wearer is.
Yesterday, about 30 students gathered around tables set with beads, scissors and wire spools to craft their very own identity bracelets as part of this university’s Native American Heritage Month celebrations. Sharon Jackson, a designer of Cherokee, Creek and Blackfoot descent who also spoke on the campus earlier this month, guided the students in creating their personalized jewelry in the Margaret Brent Room B of Stamp Student Union.
While Jackson has sold jewelry at powwows and other events for decades, this was the first time she had ever taught her guests how to make jewelry — a fact that helped lend unique qualities to each piece.
“There’s no mistakes,” Jackson said, arguing the flaws can sometimes emphasize the fact the jewelry is handmade.
The American Indian Student Union sponsored the arts-and-crafts event, and co-president Courtney Thompson was especially excited to take part.
“I’m a jewelry fiend by nature,” Thompson said. “A connoisseur, if you will.”
At the beginning, though, organizers were worried whether they had enough tools to last through the day. As it turned out, that concern proved unwarranted, even when a group of about 17 people showed up all at once near the beginning of the event. Crafters started making two or three bracelets, eager to keep working, and new groups filed in every 20 minutes eager to participate.
“It almost reminds me of what you do in kindergarten,” Thompson said.
Along with some turquoise beads, students chose between red, white, black and yellow – colors symbolic of multiple themes in Native American culture, including compass directions and the four basic ethnic groups of humanity, according to Jackson.
After fitting a wire, crafters placed a crimped metal piece and ring to seal one end, then placed beads on the wire before closing it up with a clasp on the other end. Jackson saw many varieties, as each attendee chose different styles and colors.
“It’s about what you feel comfortable within yourself,” Jackson said.
Thompson, who is of Piscataway heritage, noted the tribe’s most prominent colors and its value of turtles are similar to some of this university’s primary motifs.
“They borrowed a couple things,” she said.
Graduate Student Government President David Colon-Cabrera said he saw a post about the event on Twitter and decided to drop by.
“This is the first Native American one I’ve been able to attend,” he said.
When asked by a fellow attendee what he would do with his bracelet, Colon-Cabrera said, “I guess I’ll share it with other people. See what they think.”
While the event proved a great success, the participants did leave a bit of a mess behind.
“It looks like we’re performing a few surgeries here,” Jackson said as she cleaned up the tools scattered about. “Appendectomies, lobotomies…”
Jackson added that each bracelet made throughout the day carries its own unique value.
“To me, a piece of jewelry is like a pet,” she said. “It’s got to get along with you.”
The university’s eighth annual Powwow will take place Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center.
