Chancellor’s beaded regalia honours commitment to reconciliation

“When Nicholas Brathwaite was installed as McMaster’s new chancellor in May , his ornate black and gold robes were adorned with a gift symbolizing a pledge he made to the university’s Indigenous community. “Just because we no longer have an Indigenous chancellor does not mean you have lost an ally in this office,” Brathwaite told the crowd at the installation ceremony in May as he took over the position from former chancellor Santee Smith. “I promise to be your friend, your partner, and your unwavering advocate.” Beverly Jacobs, the vice-provost, Indigenous, said she wanted to commission a custom piece for Brathwaite’s chancellor robes after meeting with him in February, not long after she’d started in the inaugural role. “He acknowledged that he did not want to shift away from how Santee had incorporated Indigenous knowledge in her role,” said Jacobs. “I felt really honoured during our discussion about his commitment to Indigenous peoples and I wanted to show my gratitude with a gift that reflects the importance of building that relationship between him as a chancellor and Indigenous peoples.” That gift is a raised beaded yoke designed and created by Charlene Hemlock-Skye, a Cayuga artist, educator, and community member from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. Hemlock-Skye said the piece represents the building of relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities through understanding, education, and mutual respect. “It reflects the importance of coming together in a good way and carrying those relationships forward for future generations,” said Hemlock-Skye. “Every bead placed within this work was done with care, gratitude and intention.” The designs woven throughout the piece, including the floral and vine motifs, represent earth, growth, continuity and the interconnectedness of all living things, she said. The fringe of the yoke is made from smoked moose hide to add movement, texture and connection to natural materials and traditional practices. Around the border of the yoke, a geometric design inspired by traditional Haudenosaunee pottery motifs is meant to represent the earth, ancestral knowledge and the strength of original artistic practices carried forward through generations. McMaster’s maroon colour palette is also incorporated in the piece alongside what Hemlock-Skye referred to as traditional esthetics, saying it reflects “both tradition and the evolving presence of Indigenous peoples within modern institutions”. Jacobs said the beaded regalia is “just the beginning” of the changes needed that now includes Indigenous performances and addresses during convocation ceremonies. “There’s still a lot more to be done, but this gift is meant to honour the Chancellor and the role he will play within graduation and convocation,” said Jacobs. “When the public sees him wearing this beautiful piece of art at these academic ceremonies, it serves as a reminder of how Indigenous peoples have shaped McMaster’s history and the relationship we have with each other.” The post Chancellor’s beaded regalia honours commitment to reconciliation appeared first on McMaster News .

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