English passing along art at Ingamo
Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Jan 12/01) - The art of beading is difficult but rewarding, Mabel English says.
English is teaching beading at Ingamo Hall Thursday evenings. Her students range in age from under 10 to adults.
The course has been going on for a couple of years, but English has only been teaching it since December. She said she's enjoyed it so far, and that it's important to pass along a skill which aboriginal people have practised for generations.
English said skills do not come quickly.
"Some girls that don't know how to sew, their hands are so stiff," English said.
"They're pretty good, the kids I have here, because they've been through that Gwich'in class at SAM school. In the Gwich'in language class ... they learn how to do things like that."
English has no problem handling the beads. She has sewed with them since she was seven.
"My mom taught me, and that's how we learned out in the bush," she said. "You'd never sit idle out in the bush."
English is from Fort McPherson and was born out in the bush.
"There's lots of different kinds of things we make when we're out in the bush. We make all kinds of things."
English explained that her students are learning to sew a design on an apurse (the top part of a moccasin or slipper).
"They make their own design. Everybody has to be an artist. You draw your own flowers," English said.
"When you first want to sew, you cut it out and then make your own flower. Then you start sewing it."
Once the apurse is done the students will sew it onto a moccasin.
English said beading is a good pastime.
"I forget everything in the work. I just think of my sewing, what I'm going to make," she said. "And it's really good for a person who is stressful."
