Quillwork Jewelry Making Workshop for Kashechewan Evacuees

In partnership with Xpera Risk Mitigation & Investigation Corp., Artscan Circle hosted a Quillwork Jewelry Making Workshop at the DoubleTree Fallsview Resort in Niagara Falls on April 9 & 10 for Indigenous community members from Kashechewan First Nation.

Located along the Albany River in Northern Ontario, Kashechewan First Nation has faced longstanding water infrastructure challenges that required families to leave their homes and communities several months ago.

The workshop was led by Siera Hancharyk, a 2-Spirit Odawa and Potawatomi artist from Wiikwemkoong, now creating wearable artwork in Treaty 13 territory. Grounded in the "Seven Generations" principle, Siera uses beadwork as a living expression of Indigenous culture and tradition.

Over two days, she guided participants through the art of porcupine quillwork as they crafted their own earrings or pendants using beads and quills.

The workshop offered community members a meaningful space to create, connect, and find moments of joy and grounding amid ongoing displacement.