I was born in a log house on the Ermineskin Cree Nation, October 27th, 1939. Next month I will be 61 years old. Most of my life I have known nothing but hard work. I had seven children (six now, I lost one) and have been a single parent to these children (they are all grown up now. My first recollection of my home life was chopping wood, hauling water from the pump house, but mostly I remember my Grandmother Jean and her smokehouse. She spent a lot of time in there either smoking wild meat or tanning deer, elk or moose hide. She was known as a good tanner, so people were always coming to bring her hides to do. My first inkling of my mother was her sewing on the Singer Treadle Machine putting out beautiful clothes, or else she would sit by the window and do her embroidery. My education to be a Craftsperson came from my Grandmother and my mom. They both must be doing their crafts in heaven now.
My Grandmother was a tanner, a gardener, a midwife, an herbalist, and a canner. She raised chickens and always had eggs. She was most of all a Chiefs wife and Secretary and a Beader. She put out many pieces of beadwork in her seventy-five years of hard work.
My mom was a veterans wife, a seamstress, a mother, teacher of Crafts, an embroider, a canner, but she did not start beading until she was fifty. When I was seven years old my mom drew some flowers on a white sugar sack, cut it out and this was to be my first masterpiece. It took me all summer during my spare time to embroider that apron, I finally finished! She washed it, starched it and brought it to Ermineskin School so the nuns could look at it. Later on I found out the apron was sent to the Edmonton Exhibition and it won 3rd prize. I made 50 cents. My first earnings!
Today I still use my mom's patterns, her flowers, homemade transfers and herbal recipes. My education on survival skills from my Grandma and mom is the greatest will anyone can inherit.
Because I had to go to work to support my children, my craftwork happened on weekends and holidays. As a second income I sold moccasins, moss bags, barrettes and veils. I also used to make (bead) small souvenir articles, key chains, cigarette lighter holders, bonnets and eventually went into wedding accessories. My family was always PowWow people so I started traveling in the summer of 1968. I would travel with my mom and dad and sisters. Attending different PowWows with different tribes is also an educational process. I started making outfits and learning how to bead. Making a whole beaded outfit whether it is for a lady or child ix a very long chore and intricate. One has to have patience. So far I have made three white buckskin dresses with beads and two fully beaded outfits. I have never really made big money out of my work, but it has brought me grocery money and spending money. I don't have an outlet to sell my work. For the first time in my Craft years, some one is giving me recognition and hope to make a full time career out of my sewing. That is the Economic Development Staff of Ermineskin. May God bless them and their families.
This is my 34th year of working for Indian people whether it's in Band Offices or Indian Organizations. I am also a Registered Nursing Assistant. I am tired now. I am most at peace in my home by the window, beading or sewing something with my Singer sewing machine. I have gone to teach moccasin making at the school. I thank our father and Creator for giving me talent and on willing to continue to use this talent for as long as I'm able.
Thank you, so much!

Agnes Littlechild.
For Contact Info Contact:
Ermineskin Economic Development
780-585-3779
Email: econ_dev@telusplanet.net