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Local woman spreading love 'One Bead at a Time'

Imagine finding out you were adopted well into your adult-years. That is exactly what happened to Bradford resident Jennifer Bahinski after completing an ancestry DNA test at age 41 which led to the discovery of her native indigenous roots.

Imagine finding out well into your adult years that you were adopted.

That's what happened to Bradford resident Jennifer Bahinski after completing an ancestry DNA test at age 41 'just for fun'.

The test is what led to the discovery of her Native Indigenous roots, and a new business venture. 

In March of 2019, Bahinski took advantage of a promotional offer on Ancestry.ca,  but when she got her results back, her background looked a little "strange". 

“There was a lot of mixed ancestry,” notes Bahinski. “I was matched with a first cousin through ancestry who was adopted… and it unravelled from there.”

Within weeks, Bahinski was connected with several distant cousins, aunts and uncles, which led to a shocking discovery; she too was adopted. After more research, Bahinski eventually matched with her birth mother who had spent most of her life in Toronto and was currently living on a reserve in northern Ontario. 

Once the Ontario Adoption Agency and the Catholic Children’s Aid Society were contacted (the agencies responsible for her adoption), Bahinski had all paperwork verified, confirming she is part Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) and South American (Ecuadorian). She finally got the opportunity to meet her real mother in person in May of 2019.

“It was unbelievable! Instant connection!” exclaims Bahinski. “My whole life I felt like something was off… I always felt different like I didn’t fit in, even though my adopted family did everything right, but there was just something… it was just incredible!”

Bahinski made it her mission to learn everything she could about her Indigenous background, including immersing herself in their literature, history, and art. After reaching out to new relatives, she was guided into the sacred art of ‘beading’.

Beading (particularly glass beads) is highly valued by First Nations communities and carries many symbolic meanings through their wide variety of colours. They are often sewn onto materials or objects and weaved into different patterns which represent many unique values among the Indigenous culture. Whether used to embellish clothing or worn as jewellery, beading has become a popular pastime for not only First Nations but Canadians of all cultures abroad.

In November of 2019, Bahinski chose to take her beading and love of jewellery-making to the next level and formed her business, Bella Lovelee Beads stemming from her oldest daughter’s first name ‘Isabella’. She began creating and selling her beaded designs online through Instagram and Etsy.

Bahinski is a mother of three who worked in the corporate world for over 10 years before deciding to stay at home with her kids and start working for herself. 

“I reached out to my aunt and birth mother who supplied me with what I needed and shared techniques of how they do [beading], giving me pointers,” explains Bahinski. “It was my way of reconnecting with something that was lost.”

While finding healing through her new passion, Bahinski started reaching out to other ‘beaders’ whose work she admired. In January of 2021, she launched an online giveaway of beaded creations as a way to give more exposure to the Indigenous beading communities.

“I got an amazing response,” says Bahinski who received a total of 27 donated beaded creations for the giveaway. “It gave all of us [beaders] a greater exposure we wouldn’t have had.”

Bahinski’s first giveaway was done online through her Instagram account where she showcased all 27 pieces of art and jewellery including rings, earrings, bracelets, and other accessories all made with beads. The theme of the giveaway was 'Love Myself' and was held on Valentine’s Day. Participants ‘liked’ and ‘followed’ the other beaders as their entry into the draw, and winners were randomly selected and paired with a unique, beaded gifts.

"The beaded jewellery we make is to be worn by non-Indigenous and Indigenous alike," shares Bahinski. “There’s room for everybody to shine and help each other – together we can create great things!”

Bahinski gained recognition in the First Nations community for her beading and desire to promote other beaders. She wanted to help make beading more affordable so she partnered with a Toronto bead wholesaler and built a bead supply business for the Indigenous community.

“I want to continue building relationships with new beaders and helping each with more exposure,” expresses Bahinski. “It’s not just a one-day thing for me, beading is every day [and] we should celebrate success for all… I want everyone to succeed.”

Bahinski just celebrated 1,500 followers on her Instagram page, and recently donated some of her beadwork to the ‘A Bradford Christmas’ Mother’s Day silent auction. She also donates a portion of her bead sales every month to the Anishinaabe Community-Group in Toronto who provided her with guidance and support after her initial discovery of being adopted.

Bahinski has already launched her second online giveaway which will run from April 30 – May 2 and includes over 31 different Indigenous beading artists from across Canada to celebrate and promote art & culture of the Indigenous community. Similar to her last giveaway, winners will be prompted to ‘like’ and ‘follow’ all beaders on Instagram to be entered into the draw for a chance to win one of 31 unique beaded creations. The theme of her second giveaway draw is ‘You Were Born to Stand Out’ and fellow beaders were encouraged to donate a piece with at least one neon-coloured bead.

“You would not believe how many people are doing this and representing the First Nations community,” states Bahinski. 

To view Bahinski’s beadwork, visit her Etsy page here or her Instagram page @BellaLoveleeBeads

“I’m fortunate to be in a place where I’m meant to be (finding out about my adoption and beading),” says Bahinski. “I’m so happy for everybody and if I can help in some way to get more exposure for these amazing artists, I will.”