Shaniya Vance Embraces Tradition with a Modern Touch Through Beading

When Shaniya Vance, a self-taught artist from Potlotek First Nation, started beading in 2020, what began as a pastime quickly evolved into an exploration of her Indigenous heritage.

Raised in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Shaniya grew up outside the reserve in a predominantly non-Indigenous community, yet she maintained strong cultural ties within her household.

Inspired by her mother and grandmother, Shaniya describes her childhood home as a space filled with art supplies. Even though she watched her family create art growing up, she sometimes felt as if she was learning about her heritage from the outside.

“I don’t think I fully appreciated my culture until I was a bit older,” Shaniya says. That understanding deepened when she moved to Fredericton, New Brunswick for university and connected with Indigenous peers.

Immersed in this community, she began a deeper exploration into her Indigenous roots.

Today, Shaniya’s artwork, which ranges from intricate earrings to playful keychains inspired by pop culture, is a blend of traditional and contemporary. Her pieces incorporate natural elements like porcupine quills and hide, honoring Indigenous craft traditions with a modern twist.

However, Shaniya admits that pursuing a creative career comes with financial hurdles, and that funding through programs like Nova Scotia Gaming’s Support4Culture has been invaluable to her work.

“The grant I received had a huge impact on my life,” she shares. With this support, Shaniya has been able to cover material costs, refine her techniques, and expand her artistic offerings without the added stress of financial constraints.

“Support4Culture helped me find my confidence in my art, take that next step to learn new techniques, and really expand my offerings as an artist,” she says.

Looking ahead, Shaniya wants her art to resonate with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences. She hopes anyone who wears her work will feel the beauty and significance of her culture and carry awareness, appreciation, and respect across communities.