Business
3 February, 2025
Made by hand with love
INDIGENOUS artist Nikisha Missionary has been tapping into her family’s culture to produce earrings from natural materials.
Ms Missionary describes herself as “a proud KuKu Yalanji woman from Mossman Gorge/ Daintree (rainforest people).”
“I grew up in many places and had great experiences and friendship along the way but my home is Mossman Gorge community – population 248 – a small community 10-minutes’ drive from the Mossman township,” she said.
“One of my grandmothers taught me how to weave earrings about a year ago and I kept going as the inspiration came to me,” she said.
“I also teach others to weave to share my culture. I use natural raffia grass and sometimes pandas leaves.”
The process of weaving and teaching the process is enjoyable for Ms Missionary and is a good way to connect with her culture.
“I love the enjoyment of sitting and learning about each other’s experiences and journeys while learning about my culture at the same time,” she said.
“Sharing a piece of my creation through my weaving is the best thing ever I get to see people wearing them and promoting my beautiful artwork,” she said
The creative process was hard at first but became easier with practice.
“At first, when I started learning how to weave, it was a little hard,” Ms Missionary said.
“(Though) over time I kept going and then I started weaving. Since then I’ve learnt that patience is the key to weaving.”
The earrings are popular and bought by mostly Indigenous people from all over the country.
“I promote all my hand-woven earrings on my Instagram page @KRM Weaving91.
“Sometimes my grandma Irene and other family members will promote my earrings on their own Facebook pages and sometimes in person,” she said.
“I have always wanted to learn how to weave to teach and pass this unique skill and experience onto our families and next generations,” Ms Missionary said. “I know weaving has been in our lives and culture from our ancestors and elders who have been teaching and passing it on for years,” she said.
“Sadly it has died out as we have lost our ancestors and elders, I want to start working with my community and others to regain this unique skills.”
Read More: Mossman
