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Connecting Indigenous Artisans in Africa & America

Creating a Global Creative Circle: Connecting Indigenous artisans in Africa & USA. 1 Bead at a Time.

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Connecting Indigenous Artisans in Africa & America

Connecting Indigenous Artisans in Africa & America

Connecting Indigenous Artisans in Africa & America

Connecting Indigenous Artisans in Africa & America

Connecting Indigenous Artisans in Africa & America

Creating a Global Creative Circle: Connecting Indigenous artisans in Africa & USA. 1 Bead at a Time.

Creating a Global Creative Circle: Connecting Indigenous artisans in Africa & USA. 1 Bead at a Time.

Creating a Global Creative Circle: Connecting Indigenous artisans in Africa & USA. 1 Bead at a Time.

Creating a Global Creative Circle: Connecting Indigenous artisans in Africa & USA. 1 Bead at a Time.

Tereneh Idia
Tereneh Idia
Tereneh Idia
Tereneh Idia
4 Campaigns |
Pittsburgh, United States
$4,020 USD by 58 backers
$3,888 USD by 55 backers on Oct 14, 2015
Highlights
Mountain Filled 4 Projects Mountain Filled 4 Projects


Creating a Global Creative Circle: One bead, one mile at a time.  

  


Connect Indigenous artisans in a global eco-design collaboration. The goal is to link Maasai and Native American artisans in a creative partnership.

UPDATED It begins by “sitting in the circle” learning, exploring and building creative community.  At the invitation of an Oneida family of beaders in New York I plan on doing a nearly 2,000 mile journey to do just that.  Embark on a creative partnership and design research project to help build a new creative community. 

This has always been the dream and the meaning of Idia'Dega.  To connect Indigenous artisans in a creative partnership.  This campaign will help launch a project with Northeastern Native American artisans and connect them with OMWA – Olorgesailie Maasai Women Artisans of Kenya to develop a collection co-designed, co-developed by Maasai and Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) communities.  

We can redefine globalization, as Globalization for Good – engage and benefit the world. 

Northeast Indian: location. Map/Still.Britannica Online   <http://kids.britannica.com/comptons/art-136185>.


Entering and Expanding the Circle

What the creative and design research project is about and what it means. Why?

Through my experience working with the Maasai, I have learned the only way to create a real creative partnership and community is to go spend time, “In the circle” as Maasai elder and head of SORALO and Idia’Dega’s Kenya Maasai partner, John Kamanga states.  

Through a Native American festival in New York this past month, I met artisans who expressed an interest working with our eco-design collaboration with the Maasai.  So this research project is about expanding that circle to become truly global. 


So Far

Idia’Dega launched the global Indigenous eco-design collaborations with the Maasai in Olorgesailie in Kenya with your help through a successful IndieGogo campaign in 2014 (Thank you!).  In 2015 through Advancing Black Arts program grant of The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments in 2015 the work continued. The OMWA Olorgesailie Maasai Women Artisans of Kenya + Idia’Dega presented collections in Paris and New York Fashion weeks as well as Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Nairobi Kenya.  Garnering media praise and customers around the world.  Building on the success of this first collaboration I am seeking to expand this Indigenous global network to include a Native American community.

                                       

                                                   image:  Iroquois Nationals 


Haudenosaunee or Iroquois Confederation

“The flag of the Iroquois represents the Hiawatha wampum belt….The center is the Great Law of Peace tree, it also represents the heart of the Five Nations and the Onodaga nation… The first square on the left represents the Mohawk Nation, Keeper of the Eastern Door. The inner square on the left, nearest the heart represents the Oneida Nation.  The inner square to the right of the heart represents the Cayuga Nation. The last square, the one furthest to the right represents the Seneca Nation, known as Keeper of the Western Door.” - IroquoisNationals.org 

Future – A New Fashion System

Imagine a fashion system that is transparent and personal rather than opaque and anonymous.  Imagine design not only inspired by Maasai and Native American adornment but made by and with the very artisans who originate and maintain that design through their culture and heritage.  Moving from anonymous inspiration to innovators in the 21st century - sustain + ability.  Maintaining traditional textile crafts and culture, now.   

This is what this project is about.  Creating this, sustaining this - one bead, one mile at a time. 

This campaign begins September 29 and ends October 12, 2015.

Exploring the Unexplored

What would a collection co-designed with Maasai and Native American artisans be? What would it look like?  I have no idea, but cannot wait to find out. 

This is the goal of the collaboration, of Idia’Dega.  To connect people who would never meet in a creative community. To build a creative circle around the globe.  To in fact, redefine Globalization, to mean Globalization for good – to engage and benefit the world. 


Nearly 2,000 mile journey Rand McNally TripMaker 

Time is of the Essence

Due to the location of many of the Northeast Native American groups, I plan on embarking on this trip by mid-October.  One of the Oneida beaders she met at the Saratoga Native American festival said,

“Oh please come and meet with us, but before the snow falls.”   

Point taken.

As a creative partnership and design research project several locations are on the agenda, with enough flexibility to add sites as needed, covering over 1,500 miles: 

·  National Museum of the American Indian – Washington D.C.

·  Museum of Indian Culture – Allentown, PA.

·  The Institute of American Indian Studies – Washington, CT. 

·  Ganondagan State Historic Site – Victor, NY

·  Research Area – Rochester NY

·  Shako: wi Cultural Center and Oneida Indian Nation – Oneida, NY

·  Research Area – Syracuse, NY

·  Onondaga Nation – Nedrow, NY

·  Akwesasne Cultural Center –  Hogansburg, NY

·  Iroquois Indian Museum – Howes Cave, NY

·  Seneca Iroquois Museum – Salamanca, NY

Funding

The plan is to cover as much ground as possible while being a frugal as possible, keeping in mind the safety of a solo woman traveling on the road for three weeks or longer.  So here is our estimated budget:

Budget

USD

Car Rental

 $  800.00

Gas

 $  225.00

Lodging

 $  1,500.00

Museum Entrance Fees

 $  100.00

Food

 $  375.00

Total

 $  3,000.00


Perks

We have some practical and fun perks that we hope will inspire you to support this project. 

Perks  Amt 
Buy a gallon of gas  $  2.00
Healthy Road Food Fund   $  5.00
Postcard sent from location enroute   $  10.00
Personalized Thank you Tweet, Instagram or FB from the road   $  25.00
Print of photo of Maasai men in Olorgesailie   $  50.00
Sponsor a Mile – Along the route photo with your name, image, hashtag or message of your choice (no profanity please) shared on social media.  Available miles: Mile 1, Mile 101, 301, 501, 701, 901, 1101, 1301, and 1501.  $  100.00
Oneida wampum bracelet/armband  $  150.00
Portion of donation will go to one of visited Native American Cultural Centers/Museums or Community Centers in your name.  $  250.00


Other Ways to help

  • Giving comes in so many ways. Any donation, even $1 is helpful.  But if that is not an option please consider:
  • Since the campaign is a short one, time is of the essence. Your help in getting the word out is key.
  • Sharing the campaign with friends and family.
  • Spreading the word via social media and even old fashion email.  The link to the campaign is: https://www.indiegogo.com/campaigns/connecting-indigenous-artisans-in-africa-america
  • Host or invite Tereneh to come to upcoming events – book clubs, church meetings, etc.  To give a brief talk on what the global eco-fashion collaborations of Idia’Dega are all about. 
  • Follow Idia’Dega on FB, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and on the site www.idiadega.com for updates. 


Thank you, Ashe oleng.  It means so much, every bit helps. 


One bead. One mile at a time. 


Looking for more information? Check the project FAQ
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Choose your Perk

Sponsor a gallon of gas

$2 USD
The trip will be over 1,500 miles through Pennsylvania, Washington, DC and New York. Every mile, every step is important.
0 claimed

Healthy Road Food Fund

$5 USD
Help Tereneh avoid bad road food as much as possible.
1 claimed

Postcard from the road

$10 USD
With over 1,500 miles and 10 key places of research, I will send a postcard from any location of your choice. Between Pennsylvania, DC and New York - there are more options than I can imagine.
7 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Olorgesailie Maasai Men Photo

$50 USD
The only thing I do more than design is take photographs. This is one of my favorite photos from Olorgesailie, Rift Valley, Kenya. From the responses via social media, it is a favorite among many of you as well. I will send a print 8x10 to you as a thank you for your support at this level.
Estimated Shipping
December 2015
2 out of 10 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Sponsor a Mile

$100 USD
Sponsor a Mile – Pick a mile, any mile. Along the route photo with your name, image, hashtag or message of your choice (no profanity please) shared on social media. Available miles: Mile 1, Mile 101, 301, 501, 701, 901, 1101, 1301, and 1501. (+1 for good luck)
0 out of 9 of claimed

Maasai Traditional Cuff

$100 USD
Limited number available of hand-beaded cuff bracelet. Made my OMWA - Olorgesailie Maasai Women Artisans. Glass beads, recycled plastic and wire. Made in Olorgesailie, South Rift Valley, Kenya, East Africa.
Estimated Shipping
November 2015
1 out of 3 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Donation to Cultural Center

$250 USD
Portion of this donation will go to one of the visited Native American Cultural Centers/Museums or Community Centers visited in your name.
Estimated Shipping
December 2015
0 out of 5 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
sold out

New Circle Friendship Bracelet

$25 USD
Estimated Shipping
November 2015
10 out of 10 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
sold out

Eni Spring Bling Set #1

$50 USD
Estimated Shipping
November 2015
1 out of 1 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
sold out

Eni Spring 2016 Bling Set #2

$75 USD
Estimated Shipping
November 2015
1 out of 1 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
sold out

Oneida Wampum Armband Bracelet

$150 USD
Estimated Shipping
December 2015
5 out of 5 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

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