My name is Candice Cook (she/her), and I’m a member of Driftpile Cree Nation through my dad’s side and Métis with connections to the Cunningham family on my mom’s side. I also carry mixed European ancestry (German, Scottish, English, and French). I was born and raised on the southern shores of the Lesser Slave Lake in Treaty 8 Territory and am grateful to have been a visitor to the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ territory since 2021. I first fell in love with beadwork while studying at the University of Alberta in 2013. Being born and raised on a small farm near the southern shores of the Lesser Slave Lake surrounded by community, family and land, the culture shock of the City and University life was a heavy weight. During that time I found solace in admiring and studying beadwork. Through YouTube videos, books, and plenty of trial and error, I slowly learned the basics of how to flat stitch. Over time, I continued to learn different beading styles, techniques and lessons with the help of others from the beading community, family members, and community members. The lessons they have shared with me have gone beyond teaching me to bead. The lessons embedded in beadwork have helped me through many hardships and have helped to shape the person I am today. I look forward to the many lessons to come and am grateful for the gift of beading.