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Fond du Lac Arts is a series exploring the stories, creative expression, and craftsmanship of Fond du Lac artists from a range of disciplines.
This project is produced by AMPERS, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities in partnership with WGZS, the Radio Voice of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
INTRO: You are listening to Fond du Lac Arts: Community through the Creative Arts.
Valerie Whitebird was raised by a great grandma with a big cookie tin of bead work.
VALERIE WHITEBIRD: That I always used to get into, even though I probably shouldn't have, because I think I probably wrecked some of hers when I was real little, but she never stopped me from exploring it.
HOST: That spirit of exploration led her to her young forays into beading and sewing work that would have to be set temporarily on a shelf when she became a busy working mother with other priorities.
VALERIE WHITEBIRD: And then my cousin, she invited me over one day, and we made ribbon skirts. I forgot how to use a sewing machine, because it took me a minute to get back into sewing, but once I got going, I really took off. I always thought I'd be a beader because I like beading.
HOST: But it was a ribbon skirt that called to her imagination. She doesn't design her skirts from a pattern. Instead, she puts pencil to paper and lets the images come to her.
VALERIE WHITEBIRD: I envision it, I see it in my head, and then I try to create it.
HOST: Her ribbon skirts tell the story of creation and dual worlds. Makwa the bear makes an appearance.
VALERIE WHITEBIRD: The hummingbirds, nenookaasi, are one of my favorite applique designs for my ribbon skirts. The reason behind it is inspiration to never give up or to never let anyone tell you that you can't accomplish something, like in the story of the hummingbird and the great fire.
HOST: The hummingbird wastes no time and does what she can to put out the great fire, small beak full of water by small beak full of water. Inspiration for a busy ribbon skirt designer.
VALERIE WHITEBIRD: I mean, it's just what I like to do. I love to create, you know. I'm proud of them, and I just love them.
OUTRO: Fond du Lac Arts is produced by AMPERS and WGZS, the radio voice of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.