Métis artisan developing one-of-a-kind beading app

Characterized by intricate, vibrant floral designs, traditional beadwork is an art-form that resonated with Jill Ruep from a young age. Upon starting it, she immediately felt its therapeutic benefits – something that has continued throughout her life.

But after a break from beading, she returned and noticed a void in beading education that has sent her down a path of innovation and entrepreneurship.

“I couldn’t believe there wasn’t an Indigenous-led beading app out there. I looked and couldn’t find anything. The technology is there and ready,” said Ruep, a Métis woman from Estevan who works as a student advisor at Southeast College.

“I decided there needs to be a beading app. There’s a gap out there that I’m hoping to fill.”

For the past year and half, Ruep has been developing a one-of-a-kind beading app called Ma Fii Lii Rasaad, which is Michif for ‘my daughter’s beads’. The app integrates traditional beading techniques and designs, teachings from Elders and knowledge keepers, and storytelling with modern technology.

Users are able to free-hand designs using a stylus or cursor, select different colours, shapes, or pre-made designs. They can also collaborate with others on the app, and share beading stories or learn wisdom from Elders and knowledge keepers.

“When I went online to find tutorials, I found videos that lacked the traditional ways of learning through storytelling. There’s thousands of tutorials, but they aren’t showing you your mistakes or connecting the art with the culture,” she said.

“I wanted to learn more about the significance behind the designs, how it could connect with our Indigenous culture.”

The desire to create a beading app comes from somewhere deep within Ruep. She grew up in an unstable environment, surrounded by the impacts of generational trauma, she said. She began beading with her Auntie Judy, who taught her not only beading techniques, but the power of her culture.

“Beading with her gave me that safe space that I didn’t have growing up,” said Ruep.

“Beading is so relaxing and therapeutic. It creates that space in your mind where you can drift away and not worry about the world. You focus on connecting with beautiful things. That’s the art of beading, there’s meaning and stories behind it.”

Beading temporarily faded from Ruep life, until a few years ago when she was inspired to reconnect with her culture and practice the art of beading again. After realizing there were no culturally-focused apps, she entered the pitch competition at the Innovation Conference for Economic Development.