Runner-up
Hairpipe Necklace
In four years, Autumn Whiteway of Oji Creations has made a multitude of unique and stylish necklaces alongside arts and crafts like prints, dreamcatchers, stickers and more. The Saulteaux/Métis artist sought to learn various traditional Indigenous arts and crafts as a way to meaningfully connect with her culture after a decade of academia — Whiteway holds an M.A. in archeology from the University of Manitoba. The Hairpipe Necklaces are made of bone or horn hairpipe beads and include six or eight glass seed beads that frame a centrepiece pendant. Styles range in colour and length and feature pendants of wolves, turtles, bears and other animals, or shapes like dreamcatchers and stars. Every necklace is made mindfully with good thoughts and intentions and is smudged before it’s sent to customers. You can shop for the Hairpipe Necklaces on Oji Creations website.
This category honours the memory of Amy Willier — co-owner of Moonstone Creation, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper and artist — who passed away in 2021. We are honoured to continue Willier’s legacy of promoting Indigenous makers with this award.
