Tribe: Northern Arapaho

Art form: Beadwork

The artist:

I’m MiRae Hughes (she/they) I’m a two-spirit enrolled member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. I learned the Indigenous art of bead-working from my elders when I was 17. I have spent most of my life on the reservation. To me, beadwork is sacred. Beading is a way to help keep the Northern Arapaho culture alive. Making a piece involves prayer, patience, love, creativity, and guidance; I still use designs passed down from generations of ancestors. In addition to bead-working, I teach others how to bead to ensure that the Northern Arapaho culture stays alive for generations to come. I’m a recovering addict. Addiction is wiping out generations of Indigenous culture. For the past few years, I have dedicated time to teaching Indigenous relatives in recovery how to bead and reconnect with their traditional ways. I’m thrilled to be collaborating with the Wind River Artist Collective to bring Niihooyoo’ Nii’eihii to life. You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and at www.windriverartistscollective.org.

I often come up with a vision in my head, and I love to make that vision come to life. Making custom pieces for customers and watching them see the piece for the first time brings me immense joy. Using colors and designs that my ancestors used is therapeutic. Helping my culture stay alive is my primary inspiration.

I take custom orders: order forms coming soon. For now, email us at yellowbirdbeadwork@gmail.com with your ideas.