I believe it was in April of 2020, that CeeJay Johnson of Kooteen Creations offered this challenge to Indian beadworkers to “bead your state”, or “bead your province” if you were from up north in Canada. I was laid off from my job for several months because of the COVID19 pandemic, so I took up the challenge and ended up beading seven versions of six states. I was very lucky that five versions ended on the final map. Here are some articles about CeeJay’s project as well as a photo of the completed 2020 map and my entries into the “bead your state” project.

July 23, 2020.
“Indigenous Artists Across North America are Joining Forces to Bead Their Provinces and States.” By Olivia Nazarewich. Diply.
https://crafty.diply.com/137566/indigenous-artists-across-north-america-are-joining-forces-to-be

July 23, 2020.
“Indigenous Artists Showcase Canadians Provinces In New Ways”. HuffPost Canada.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2402305350076539&ref=external

August 15, 2020.
Edward Box III give beading project a personal touch.” By Jeremy Wade Shockley. The Southern Ute Drum
https://www.sudrum.com/culture/2020/08/15/box-gives-beading-project-a-personal-touch/

September 6, 2020.
“Beaded map of Canada creates ‘a sense of community’ among Indigenous artists amid pandemic”. By Ka’nhehsí:io Deer. CBC News.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/beaded-map-canada-completion-1.5712673?fbclid=IwAR1Hc_wq7z9qYDnDfTtg2B9P7hvV25mrVp9ggaq62nM4do48v_Bzl3ZWu38

September 6, 2020.
“Beaded map of Canada creates ‘a sense of community’ among Indigenous artists amid pandemic”. Yahoo News.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/beaded-map-canada-creates-sense-080000802.html

September 9, 2020.
“Bead Country: Native Artists Fill in Turtle Island With Stunning Beaded States, Provinces and Territories”. By Tamara Ikenberg. Native News Online.
https://nativenewsonline.net/arts-entertainment/bead-country-native-artists-fill-in-turtle-island-with-stunning-beaded-states-provinces-and-territories?fbclid=IwAR3LTpfZiO2AJCeuTAYLDVTZhcozNMZo50fci40ytpryIz8fR0Tbq_Tp8kg

September 13, 2020
“Two pieces by rookie beader (Amanda Laliberte) chosen for Bead Your Province project.” By Morgan Esperance. Eaglefeathernews.com.
https://www.eaglefeathernews.com/arts/two-pieces-by-rookie-beader-chosen-for-bead-your-province-project

September 17, 2020.
“EBCI artist’s (Brandy Watty) work selected for ‘Bead Your State’ project.” By Scott McKie, Cherokee One Feather.
https://www.theonefeather.com/2020/09/ebci-artists-work-selected-for-bead-your-state-project/?fbclid=IwAR1jWMOqeuzbn7_5mdoqw0sMrn80qSDvf7w5vlLEkg1HNyiYo39X4l8Z5lQ