Influenced by her culture through Elders and Knowledge Keepers, Kelsey Borgford weaves a story about Tessa, a young Cree girl who wants her kohkom (grandmother) to teach her to bead. Tessa’s mother first teaches her important protocols of reciprocity when asking something of an Elder. Along with the lessons on beading, Tessa’s kohkom also teaches her about the way beadwork has a history and tells stories of diverse Indigenous Peoples. Borgford demonstrates within this book the way Story is a very useful and meaningful method of passing on and sharing Indigenous Knowledge. Interwoven within the story are Cree words. The illustrator uses bright pictures that add additional cultural meaning and bring to life the smells and tactile learnings within the story.

Other End Matter: None
Images: Colour illustrations
Contributor Affiliation: Author Kelsey Borgford (Nbisiing Nishnaabe, from the Marten clan), Illustrator Tessa Pizzale (Mushkegowuk Cree)
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Evaluator: Meredith R., Elementary School Teacher, Indigenous Books for Schools

Kelsey Borgford is a Nbisiing Nishnaabekwe from the Marten clan. She is an emerging author, passionate about utilizing writing as a tool to revitalize cultural connections. After losing her Gokomis-baa in 2014, Kelsey sought out a means of connection with her grandmother and found that connection to her through the arts. Kelsey’s work aims to pass along cultural traditions and identity. Her work is predominantly centered in the practice of beading and writing. She has a children’s book, What’s in a Bead, forthcoming from Second Story Press. In all aspects of her creativity, Kelsey draws inspiration from her culture, her mother, her community, and relatives in the natural world.

Kelsey Borgford's profile page

Tessa Pizzale grew up in North Bay, Ontario. Her Cree relatives are from Moose Factory, Fort Albany, and Peawanuck. She is completing her BFA at Nipissing University. Tessa loves Indigenous crafts and is grateful to her late Kookum for teaching her beading and her Nikawiy for teaching her to sew.

Tessa Pizzale's profile page

• Runner-up, Second Story Press Indigenous Writing Contest

"Featuring a long-standing tribal tradition, What’s in a Bead? by Kelsey Borgford highlights the special relationship between a young girl and her grandmother. Tessa’s curiosity leads Kohtom to teach her the history and importance of beads in their culture."

Manistee News

"A colourful new book will have children reading about close family relationships, the art of beading in different Indigenous communities, and Cree artisanship and language. Aimed at six to eight-year old children, the story is told from the viewpoint of the main character Tessa who loves and learns from her kokum."

Anishinabek News

"A delicate tribute to beading and storytelling, connecting the past, present, and future of Native communities."

Kirkus

"Culture is at the core of everything Kelsey Borgford creates."

Windspeaker

"Delight beckons from the cover to the last page of What’s in a Bead?. Rich in visual details and told from the perspective of Tessa, a First Nations girl (Cree), What’s in a Bead? documents educational, social, and cultural practices of beading in her family and community. It contains colour-rich, carefully rendered visual images, beaded objects, and ceremonies related to beading.... Recommended."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“Written by a Nbisiing Nishnaabe author, What’s in a Bead? shares indigenous words and customs alongside clear, bold illustrations.”

Madison Public Library