Melissa Widner

Taught by her grandmother, Melissa Widner has been sewing and beading for 30 years. While Melissa spent time observing the perfect stitches and traditional patterns created by her grandmother, she is also drawn to flashy material with a contemporary flair.

“My favorite materials are neons, bright patterns, and fun colors. But in keeping with my grandmother’s teaching, I make sure the regalia I create also is traditional in cut, pattern, and style. My grandmother makes inward of 100 ceremonial quilts each year that are taken to our big drum ceremony in our village. Although I love the contemporary flair, my grandmother reminds me of the traditional side, and that I must incorporate these things into my work.” - Melissa Widner

Melissa was nominated for the Community Spirit Awards by two of her daughters, Megan Bunker Olson (Ojibwe) and Courtney Bunker (Ojibwe).

“Growing up I would attend ceremonies and pow wows with my mom. I didn’t realize how lucky I was that she would handcraft me and my sisters’ regalia and beadwork. She raised me with our traditional ways and has taught me so much, not only about regalia, but about beadwork, our Ojibwe language, ceremonies, pow wows, and our traditional foods.” - Courtney Olsen