The art of making the Miss FNUniv's Powwow Princess crown - Action News
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Saskatchewan

The art of making the Miss FNUniv's Powwow Princess crown

Designing and making the crown for the First Nations University of Canada's Powwow Princess is an honour but also a lengthy and rewarding process, crown maker says.

First Nations artist Thomas Benjoe spent half a year designing the crown's bead work

Thomas Benjoe had the honour of crafting the crown for this year's First Nations University of Canada's Powwow Princess. (Shauna Powers/CBC)

On Sunday, the First Nations University of Canada will crown its 2016 Powwow Princess at the annual spring powwow.

It's a stunning and exciting moment for the new princess when her dreams becomereality asthe crown is placed on her head.

But the princess isn't the only one who worked hard to reach that point. The story of how the crown came to be is just as layered.

ThomasBenjoeis the artist behind this year'sspring masterpiece made up of coloured beads in floral designs and intricate patterns.

The bead work for the crown took Thomas Benjoe more than 100 hours, and the design process took half a year. (Shauna Powers/CBC)

Benjoelearned beadworking from his aunt when he was nine years old.Now30, hesaidmaking the crown is a huge honour.

"I know a lot of the girls are always very excited to wear the crown, given the amount of work that goes into it," Benjoe said duringan interview onCBC'sSaskatchewan Weekend.

A detailed process

Benjoe said it takes him about 100 hours to make the crown, but the design process goes back much further.

"It takes almost half a year just to think about what that design is going to be next and colours and making sure colour schemes go well, and finding the beads," he explained.

He said because beadsvaryby colour, he hadtotravelaround Canada and even into the United Statesto find specific shades he was looking for.

Crown maker Thomas Benjoe says it takes half a year to design the Powwow Princess crown. (Shauna Powers/CBC)

But despite the time it takes, Benjoesaid heenjoys the process.

"It's a form of relaxation for me, and I try and encourage other people to do bead work," he said.

"I do spend the time to teach some of my friends and relatives as well,so that the craft continues on and we can continue passing down those teachings."

The newest Powwow Princess will accept her crown Sunday evening.

It's a moment that Benjoe says is filled with mixed emotions between contestants, but the happiness on the faces of the winner's friends and family, and the support from the community, makes it all worth while.

"It's one of the reasons I do the crown every year. It's just to see that look of pride on the girl's face," he said.

With files from CBC's Saskatchewan Weekend