History
The emergence of the Niagara floral pattern in the mid-1800’s signifies a very important span in history. Through strategic action, colonizers had stripped away most of the Haudenosaunee people’s lands. Life on the reservations was extremely difficult as colonizers made hunting and gathering impossible, causing the Haudenosaunee to adapt for survival. (Biron, 2011b).
From the early 1800’s on, Niagara Falls was becoming a vacation destination for well off visitors. The historic reverded beadwork of the Haudenosaunee became the cherished souvenirs these tourists would seek. Over time the Haudenosaunee moved away from traditional organic and cultural themes and incorporated Western floral themes into their works, creating the Niagara Floral Style (Biron, 2011c). Tourism prevented beadwork from elimination like so many cultural crafts. Beadwork not only continued to be passed down from generation to generation, but it provided a way for tribal members to survive in the hostile environment of reservations. Beadwork has traditionally been the task of women. During this time period when survival and earning money was challenging, it was through women’s work that cultural teachings were preserved and a living was made. In this way, Haudenosaunee women are both the breadwinners and guardians of culture.