Sayo':klʌ Kindness Williams

Oneida Nation of Wisconsin - Turtle Clan, United States

Sayo':klʌ began beading at the age of 8 years old, learning her craft from two men who were well known beaders in WI, Benjamin Cannon (Oneida Nation of WI) and Gerald Hawpetoss (Menominee Nation, WI/Smithsonian Fellow), both of whom taught her basic beadwork (tying knots, lazy stitch, daisy chain, and peyote stitches), life skills and cultural values/traditions- Be thankful, never give up, finish what you start, give away the first item you make-share, be a thankful, hand down to the next generation the good things you have been taught, share freely, do not be wasteful, and have patience.

As a young woman, Sayo':klʌ went to high school in Santa Fe, NM and was exposed to the beautiful southwestern Indigenous art, which motivated her to continue to practice her art.  Sayo':klʌ entered her first art show at age 16, the Institute of American Indian Arts- High School Art Show, in 1989-90 and took 1st in the beadwork category for a beaded lace collar. Sayo':klʌ sold her beadwork on SFIS campus and at powwows to be self-reliant.

From 2006-2017, Sayo':klʌ beaded as a full-time artist, focusing on powwow regalia making and beaded jewelry. Sayo':klʌ developed her craft- experimenting with contemporary pow wow designs and methods, for regalia making, which included modern supplies like rhinestone banding, crystals/gems, cabochons, etc- commonly used in the powwow circle to make dancers shine. She became known as a beadwork artist within Wisconsin, being sought after to create fully-beaded regalia for powwow dancers.

In 2016, Sayo':klʌ was called to Standing Rock to assist her uncle Harry Kindness, a Long Walker and support for Dennis Banks (AIM). During this time, Sayo':klʌ began creating a line of jewelry, for the movement, inspired by water protectors at Standing Rock. She called this line “Resistance Jewelry”. This line sold out at Standing Rock and continues to be in high demand. Resistance beadwork was about elevating Indigenous pride, the Indigenous Rights movement and honors the power of those images to create unity and identity.  Sayo':klʌ has been affiliated with the Indigenous Environmental Network since 1999 and has been a member of the Board of Directors for 15yrs.

Today, Sayo':klʌ continues to develop new beadwork art, which a focus on Haudenosaunee (People of the Longhouse/ Six Nations) designs, colors, history and teachings. She also enjoys sharing her art with others and teaching others the art of beadwork by promoting Indigenous identity, celebrating life, and encouraging the continuation of who we are as a living culture- as Indigenous Peoples of North America.