A workshop is a hands-on opportunity to learn the skills and history connected to traditional Indigenous crafts. Attending a workshop is a great way to foster cultural understanding and appreciation.

Workshops are in-person or virtual events hosted by your organization, facilitated by Honey Willow. We start the event planning process by choosing: 1) the project, 2) event date, 3) event time frame, and 4) budget.

Workshops can be tailored to each organizations’ goals, timelines, and budget.

Timeframes:

It is recommended that you allocate at least three hours for any workshop but here are some common workshop timeframes booked

• 1 hour Sessions: Only recommended for multiple visits. Good for organizations like schools or drop-in programs where one project can be worked on over multiple weeks

• 2-4 Hour Session: Basic introduction hosted as an one-time event. Great for social gatherings, conferences, or school clubs to learn and master basics of beading. Participants will be given the tools to either complete a smaller project, or start a larger project with the support to continue on their own.

• 5+ Hour Session: These sessions are hosted either as a full-day or multiple days. Great for personal develop for teachers, community organizations, or any group wanting to complete a full project together.

Budget:

When considering booking a workshop, please consider the following factors that may affect your budget

• Facilitation Fee: Dependent on timeframe booked

• Materials: Will you be purchasing your own? We can provide you with a list. Or we can provide all the materials for an additional cost

• Milage: Are you outside of Saskatoon? We can travel anywhere within Saskatchewan

• In-Person or Virtual

• Number of Participants: Recommended group size is no more than 15 participants to one artist. If you have a larger group we would book two facilitators

Honey Willow is willing to discuss solutions to budget constraints for community-oriented organizations or school groups.

What Crafts Can You Book?

Most common workshops projects include:

• Hanging Earrings

• Hoop Earrings

• Ribbon Skirts

• Peyote-Stitched Stethoscopes

• Beaded Lanyards

• Mitt Making

• Moccasin Making

• Beaded Pins

Interested in a craft not listed? We can discuss other options!

We confirmed your workshop and now its time to host it! Here are some tips and general guidance to keep in mind when working with an Indigenous artist, knowledge keeper, Elder, or an Indigenous person you invited into your space in general.

• Tobacco Offerings: Tobacco is one of our four sacred plants and is gifted to people as a way of honouring and thanking the person for sharing their time, knowledge, and spirit with your group. Tobacco offerings should be made to the person at the start of event and handed to the person with a handshake. Always do your own research relating to the protocols in your area. (More information about Tobacco Offerings coming soon!)

• It is all about Visiting: Sure we want to learn a new skill, but our artists learned to bead from their families. often over tea and visiting. Consider providing tea and a light snack for your event as a way to relax the environment for people to connect and visit as they craft

• Parking and Directions: Sometimes an easy detail to forget, but always provide lots of details to find the room or space the event is hosting in. Allows set up and load-in process to go smoother

• Lighting and Set Up: Beads are small and we need to see what we are doing. When considering which room or space to host the workshop, also consider how much light is available. Consider setting up tables in a large U-Shape for facilitator to walk around.

• Additional Information: Is there any thing else we need to know when facilitating your workshop? Honey Willow is dedicated to making Indigenous artwork accessible and can provide alternatives and options to accommodate group or individual needs.