The Beaded Path Indigenous Beading Circle
Online Using Zoom
Biweekly Thursday evenings, February 12, 2026 – June 4, 2026
7:00–9:00 PM EST/EDT
FREE | REGISTER HERE
The Beaded Path (formerly BYOBeads) is an Indigenous-led Beading Circle led by Mel Bartel, a talented Toronto-based, 2 Spirit, Nishinaabe artist whose work lives at the intersection of colourful abstract art and traditional Anishinaabe beadwork. The Beaded Path is a no-cost online space where creative people from across Turtle Island can sit together chatting, laughing, and sharing our experiences while beading and creating together. Whether you are a full or part-time bead artist, or someone who is interested in beading, we welcome you to join us. This space is hosted by East End Arts, and the 2026 season will welcome an exciting list of talented Indigenous artists who will share their work, skills, and stories. Come and be inspired by the artistry, and bring questions that you’d like to ask. Scroll down to learn more about this season’s Guest Artists.
NOTE: Sensitive and/or mature content may come up in The Beaded Path program. If at any time you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, or if you require support, please let the facilitator Mel Bartel or any of the East End Arts staff know and we will be more than happy to assist you.
P.S. We will be raffling off another $100 Giftcard to BeadFX as part of this season of The Beaded Path! Simply attend at least 5 of our online beading circles, and you’ll be entered to win the gift card! Please note that you must be present at our last beading circle (Thursday June 4) to win the prize (this is when we will randomly draw the winner). We hope to see you all online!
ABOUT THE FACILITATOR:
MEL BARTEL: Toronto-based Nishinaabe artist Mel Bartel believes that all art is healing and therapeutic. It doesn’t matter if you are viewing it or creating it, the effects are the same.
She is known for her expressive and intuitive ability to capture emotion, personality and spirit. Her mediums are acrylic paint on wood cradled birch panels and bead work. She studied Art and Graphic Design at Claude Watson School of the Arts, George Brown College and briefly at Ontario College of Art & Design.
Mel grew up as a child in the Manitoba prairies and was raised by a Mennonite family. She is Sixties Scoop and her home community is Lac Seul First Nation.
Her Nishinaabe name is Nendowaaamjiget which means Seeker. This name is particularly fitting for Mel as it seems she has been seeking most of her life – for identity, her culture, her place in the world. She is a member of the Wolf Clan.
Following a successful period as Graphic Designer for Loblaw Brands Company designing President’s Choice product packaging, she has returned to expressive art as her primary focus.
UPCOMING BEADING NIGHTS:
- Thursday February 12, 2026 – 7:00-9:00 PM EST/EDT – Opening Session (No Guest Artist, Open Circle).
- Thursday February 26, 2026 – 7:00-9:00 PM EST/EDT – Materials Session: Quillwork. Guest Artist: Amber Waboose.
- Thursday March 12, 2026 – 7:00-9:00 PM EST/EDT – Materials and Biz Session: Brand Deals & various mediums. Guest Artist: Mikailah.
- Thursday March 26, 2026 – 7:00-9:00 PM EST/EDT – Creative & Biz Session: Values Tensions in Indigenous Self-Employment in the Arts. Guest Artist: Jordyn Hrenyk.
- Thursday April 9, 2026 – 7:00-9:00 PM EST/EDT – Creative Expert Session: Ojibwe Florals. Guest Artist: Justine Gustafson.
- Thursday April 23, 2026 – 7:00-9:00 PM EST/EDT – Creative and Biz Session: Harvesting Quills and Tufting. Guest Artist: Carmen Miller of Metis Nation of Alberta.
- Thursday May 7, 2026 – 7:00-9:00 PM EST/EDT – Material Expert Session: Birch Bark Biting. Guest Artists: Sally Milne.
- Thursday May 21, 2026 – 7:00-9:00 PM EST/EDT – Material & Creative Expert Session: Regalia Making. Guest Artist: R. S. Gustafson.
- Thursday June 4, 2026 – 7:00-9:00 PM EST/EDT – Closing Session (No Guest Artist, Open Circle).
REGISTER:
Be sure to register for The Beaded Path by visiting our registration link below:
CIRCLE SCHEDULE:
The Beaded Path is a very casual vibe, but for those of you looking for a bit of structure this is the approximate schedule for the evening:
7:00-7:05 – Ease into Space
7:05-7:20 – Welcome, Introductions, & Show & Tell
7:20-8:00 – Conversation with Guest Artist
8:00-8:50 – Open Discussion and Beading Time
8:50-9:00 – Closing Thoughts & Goodbye
2026 GUEST ARTISTS:
Stay tuned for headshots and bios soon!
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Amber Waboose from Batchawana First NationShe/her
Instagram: @amberwaboose.ojibwearts
Website: www.amberwaboose.com
Joining on Thursday February 26, 2026Amber Waboose is an Ojibwe artist from Robinson Huron Treaty, Batchewana First Nation, Ontario. Amber practices many art forms, from porcupine quillwork on birch bark to 2-D and diverse arts.
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Mikailah from Nimiipuu / Nez Perce TribeShe/her
Instagram: @beadworkbyMikailah
Website: www.beadworkbymikailah.com
Joining on Thursday March 12, 2026
Mikailah Thompson (she/her) is a dynamic Afro-Indigenous (nimîipuu) entrepreneur, artist, and advocate for Indigenous representation in the creative industry. As the owner and founder of Beadwork by Mikailah and Indigenous Creatives LLC, Mikailah merges her deep connection to her culture with her passion for creating contemporary pieces based on traditional influences.Raised on and off the reservation in Lapwai, Idaho, she’s always been drawn to the power of storytelling through art. With a background in marketing, leadership, and communication, Mikailah has built a brand that not only celebrates her cultural identity but also leverages modern marketing strategies to reach broader audiences. Through her entrepreneurial efforts, she has established herself as a leader in the growing Indigenous art space, fostering community and cultural appreciation through her platforms.
Mikailah’s dedication to promoting Indigenous art and culture extends beyond her own work. She actively collaborates with other creatives to share their work, helping to break barriers and elevate Indigenous culture in mainstream spaces. When she’s not working, Mikailah enjoys connecting with nature, spending time with her family, and continually learning about other cultures through food and art.
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Jordyn Hrenyk from Métis Nation SaskatchewanShe/her
Instagram: @beaded_dissertation
Website: www.jordynhrenyk.com
Joining on Thursday March 26, 2026Dr. Jordyn Hrenyk is an Assistant Professor at the Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria. She completed her PhD in the area of Business and Society at the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University (SFU). Her research is focused on Indigenous self-employment and values-aligned entrepreneurship, and she specifically studies how Indigenous entrepreneurs develop and enact shared values through their organizations.
Before graduate school, Jordyn worked with leading Indigenous entrepreneurs in a variety of industries including media, technology and education, to refine their business models and seek business funding.
Jordyn is Michif and she is a member of Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Local #7. While she was born on her home territory in Treaty 6, she is grateful to live in the traditional territories of the Lekwungen-speaking Peoples of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations.
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Justine Gustafson from White Sand First NationShe/her
Instagram: @j.beadwork
Website: www.jbeadwork.com
Joining on Thursday April 9, 2026Justine is a registered member of Whitesand First Nation. She was born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She is Anishnawbe (Ojibwe) and her cultural background has been the foundation of her creativity. She works as a full time artist and is exceptionally skilled in the area of bead artistry. She is well known for her work which incorporates the floral traditions of her tribe. She enjoys creating both contemporary and traditional styles of beadwork. She has been creating custom beadwork for powwow dancers across Canada and United States for approximately 12 years. In addition to the beadwork, Justine enjoys the challenge of learning new artforms and has a passion for creating custom culturally inspired clothing/ garments. She is also a recipient of numerous Ontario Arts Council Grants that has supported various independent arts projects. Her art is what keeps her connected to her family, culture and community She comes from a family of artists/beaders whom often work collaboratively on large projects making their practise a family tradition. In recent years Justine has faced some personal struggles and has found comfort and healing though creating. She is dedicated to her arts practice and demonstrates commitment to cultural preservation.
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Carmen Miller of Metis Nation of AlbertaShe/her
Instagram: @bluecariboumetisart
Website: www.carmenmillerart.com
Joining on Thursday April 23, 2026
Alberta based Metis artisan, Carmen Miller, has been practising different art mediums for most of her life. She was born in Edmonton, grew up in a military family and moved from coast to coast in Canada. Carmen taught herself how to make simple beaded items at the age of eight and has been beading ever since. She has had some wonderful friends and teachers that have shared their knowledge of tanning hides, making birch bark baskets, tufting, and quillwork. She learned the art of moose hair and caribou hair tufting 30 years ago and her tuftings are usually on wearable items such as moccasins, mittens, and jewelry and are combined with beadwork. Carmen is also widely known for her mini tufted jewellery.
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Sally Milne & Christine MyrdenShe/her
Facebook: Bitten: BirchBark Designs by Sally Milne
Website: www.etsy.com/shop/BittenBark
Joining on Thursday May 7, 2026Sally Milne is an Indigenous artist from Northern Saskatchewan known for her birch bark biting work. Her practice reflects deep relationships with the natural world and explores themes of creation, interconnectedness, and the web of life. Sally’s work has been shared through exhibitions, collections, and teaching, and she is widely respected for her technical skill and thoughtful approach to this traditional art form.
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Shannon Gustafson from Whitesand First NationShe/her
Instagram: @r_s_gustafson
Website: www.rsgustafson.com
Joining on Thursday May 21, 2026Shannon Gustafson (Giiwedinong kwe), (Anishnawbe) (Makwa ndoodem) is a registered member of Whitesand First Nation and a long term resident of Thunder Bay Ontario, She works as a full time artist and has experience in various artistic mediums such as beadwork, textiles, traditional clothing/regalia, woodworking and painting. She is well known for her floral beadwork which is inspired by the ancestors of her tribe. As an indigenous artist she is committed to cultural preservation through continual learning and sharing her gifts. She has received numerous Ontario Arts Council grants as well as a recipient of the Hnatyshyn Foundation Reveal Indigenous artist awards in 2017. Over the years, Shannon has been faced with some personal struggles and has found comfort and solace within her arts practice. She has learned to move forward and expresses much gratitude for the gifts she carries.
PAST GUEST ARTISTS:
Visit our 2025 Beaded Path page, our 2024 BYOBeads page, or our 2021 BYOBeads page to check out the past guest stars we’ve welcomed to this program!
A note to settlers interested in attending The Beaded Path:
1) This is primarily an Indigenous circle, which is open for non-Indigenous folks to attend. Please don’t ask questions about culture, history, or politics. Lots of folk come here to unwind, and your questions are likely loaded in ways you may not understand. Hang out, listen, laugh, and be mindful of not taking up too much space.
2) If you are a settler looking to learn about beading, we strongly encourage you to seek out artists who offer workshops and classes, or who have made videos teaching – or heck, you could just offer somebody whose work you admire money to share what they know with you. The worst that could happen is that they say no, and one of the easiest ways that we can be allies is with our dollars.
This is a space that strives to be inclusive of all identities, but we don’t always get it right. Let us know if we can do anything to bring you in.