A Duluth-based Ojibwe artist and citizen of the White Earth Nation who specializes in Northern Woodlands beadwork and moccasin making.
Minnetonka x Hannah Standstrong — Minookamii
We’re excited to be collaborating with Hannah Standstrong and launching her first collection which she has named, Minookamii. In the interview below, Hannah gives us more insight into her background, the meaning of her work and the inspiration behind her design.
In the interview below, Hannah gives us more insight into the meaning of her work, her creative process, and the inspiration behind her design.
Please share a bit about your Native American background. Which tribe do you belong to?
I'm an Anishinaabe currently living in Duluth, MN. I have been a jingle dress dancer all my life and I'm interestede in bringing Ojibwe designs into everyday use. I spend my time outside - biking, hiking, or paddling. When I'm inside, it's all about the movies, usually companied by crafting, researching plants, and/or beading.
I am a citizen of White Earth Nation, located in northwestern MN. Ojibwe people have a long, beautiful history in the Great Lakes region and also a very complex history with the US federal government. There are many ways to educate yourself on the past, present and future of the Indigenous peoples of Minnesota and beyond.
What does “Minookamii” mean?
Minookamii is an Ojibwemowin word that translates into sure-footed and stems from the support and love I have received as I traverse life. I am not a language speaker, but I push myself to learn and incorporate Ojibwemowin when I can. The idea is for me to get more and more comfortable with the language.
My community helped me in so many ways, I have a fantastic support system that has shown me love and grown alongside me. With the Minookamii design, which is inspired by a pinecone, I wanted to share the strength and beauty in the utility of our places with everyone.
Can you describe the symbolism behind your design?
My community helped me in so many ways, I have a fantastic support system that has shown me love and grown alongside me. With the Minookamii design, which is inspired by a pinecone, I wanted to share the strength and beauty in the utility of our places with everyone. I am interested in showing and learning what plants have been reflected in Ojibwe history, through beadwork. Beading with the knowledge of plants, and what plants I am attempting to show, connects my art with our larger Ojibwe community.
Who inspired you to start creating?
My Family, they were my first introduction to how beautiful the everyday can be. Later on, I got the opportunity to learn moccasin making from a handful of people, including family members and ‘family’ members. Being able to make, learn, and create is a direct outcome of my environment. I was afforded the opportunity to also be a part of various facets of culturally connected communities. I see this as a privilege and responsibility to also share and grow my own community.
What I find difficult is the balance of work-life and home life, mixed with navigating modern day pressures of “doing it all”, while also being a moccasin maker. I’ve only recently become comfortable with calling myself an artist, although I’ve been beading and making moccasins for over 15 years. It wasn't until a friend and role model introduced me as an artist that I started talking about myself in that way.
How would you describe the type of art you do?
Northern Woodlands beadwork. I have played with other mediums, which I enjoyed and I think helped me have a better understanding of translating what I see in the real world into beadwork. Drawing a flower, plant, or other image, then painting it or colorizing it, has helped me plan and map out bigger designs or new images for me to bead.
Can you describe your creative process? Where do you find inspiration?
Depending on the project I have, I can find inspiration in multiple forms. The majority of the time my inspiration comes from the reflections of the spaces I've been a part of, teachings, and conversations with people I love. From the natural world to the media I consume, to the conversations I have with community members, all of these things I get to experience drive me to create. Appreciation and processing lived experiences through beadwork is something I want other people to find, if it’s beadwork, or another medium.
What’s your favorite thing about being an artist? How do you feel while you’re creating your art?
For the longest time, my beads didn't lay the way I wanted to see them. Seeing some of my past work and realizing how far I have come is really exciting. The other huge rush I get is making custom shoes for someone — the luxury of having an item of clothing fit you and reflect you as a person is really special. It’s more than fashion, it’s an indicator of importance — what you deem important, what you deem as beautiful, and how you can reflect that in a way that matters to you. The way I see the shoes I have made for other people is that whoever or whatever the project, that pair is now theirs. I do like seeing my work “in the wild” and I get butterflies knowing that someone is experiencing the artwork in their own way.
What made you want to collaborate with Minnetonka? What do you hope the outcome of this collaboration is?
With the help of Adrienne Benjamin and the reconciliation work being done, I know that Minnetonka is doing work to become a company for the 21st century. I am excited to see products that reflect our Ojibwe community and make designs that are important to us. My hope for this collaboration is to have these designs, that are rooted in Ojibwe culture and land, made available for everyday wear. There are so many factors for having, or not having, Ojibwe-made or Indigenous-made artworks, and this is one avenue that makes traditional designs accessible.
How do you want people to feel while wearing the Minookamii design?
Adventurous and courageous.
In honor of this launch, and our ongoing commitment to the Native American community, Minnetonka will be donating to a Native American non-profit selected by Hannah.
To learn more about Minnetonka’s commitment to the Native American community, please visit this link.