Beadwork, Belonging, and Becoming
Weaving identity, spirit, and sustainability into every creation
For Wenzdae Brewster, art is a part of life. It is lived, carried, and carefully tended.
As an Afro-Indigenous artist, and a member of the Georgian Bay Métis Community, her creative journey has been shaped by cultural richness and complexity. Growing up surrounded by culture, yet never feeling “enough” for any single category, she learned that belonging would not come from choosing one identity over another, but from honouring them all.
“Being from so many different cultures used to feel like a burden, like I had to choose one and make it my whole identity,” she says. “But when I let go of the social pressure and rigid constraints, I realized I could be infinitely grateful for my many beautiful and unique backgrounds.”
That realization now anchors her work across mediums — beadwork, visual art, tattooing, illustration, and film — each piece grounded in authenticity and self-expression.
Shaped by more than thirteen years of dedication to craft and culture under the artist name Wenzdae Weird, her practice is grounded in handwork, ancestral knowledge, and a deep responsibility to the land. Each piece she creates brings together fabrication skills, spiritual symbolism, and sustainably sourced materials, resulting in work that feels both intimate and expansive.
“I have always been an artist trying my hand at many different mediums, even as a young kid,” says Wenzdae. “But beading plays a huge role in my love for art and creation. They are a piece of me that I always come back to no matter how far I branch into new mediums.”
Wenzdae approaches art as an extension of spirit and responsibility. She does not separate herself from what she makes; each piece is created mindfully, with core values intact. Central to her art and daily life, sustainability is reflected in her use of second-hand beads, compostable packaging, and reclaimed materials that give new life to what others might overlook.
Looking back, Wenzdae points to several defining milestones in her artistic and entrepreneurial journey. She has created unique pieces for Indigenous artists and creatives including Bird Runningwater, Kali Reis and Lee Maracle. Her beadwork has also appeared in television productions such as Motherland: Fort Salem and Sullivan’s Crossing. Most recently, she secured her first book illustration deal with Swift Water Books and signed with the Transatlantic Agency, milestones she describes as major affirmations of her work.
Reflecting on her journey so far, Wenzdae speaks with gratitude and anticipation. “I’ve been able to explore the world, meet new people, and create beyond my own expectations,” she says.
Now immersed in a new body of work set for release in 2027, she continues to create with the same intention that shaped her early path: honouring her identities, tending to her responsibilities, and weaving story, spirit, and sustainability into every piece.
Learn more about Wenzdae’s practice and explore her available work on Etsy and Instagram.