Women Inspiring Women - Meet Tracy Bradley

Women Inspiring Women! I’m happy to introduce you to the lovely Tracy Bradley. Tracy is a multi-disciplinary artist (Tracy Bradley Artist, Nikawiy Fine Craft), birth worker and director at Grow Centre Coworking and Teaching Space in Edmonton.

I met Tracy a few years back when I attended a ribbon skirt making workshop hosted by Grow Centre. I was first drawn to Tracy’s beautiful jewelery work and next her smile and warmth. Our paths have crossed over the years while I was a member of the co-working space she and her husband Paul run on Whyte Avenue (Paul makes an amazing cup of coffee!) as well as through Tracy’s advocacy work with Indigenous women and birthers.

Tracy is of Cree-Metis and European descent. Her practice involves community building, investigating traditional materials in contemporary styles, and revolves around creating and supporting opportunities for learning and sharing of traditional skills. She works primarily in hide, beads, sculpted wool, natural stones, fur, birch bark, textiles, acrylic, watercolour, ink and oils. Tracy is a member of the IAM Collective ONLINE Marketplace (Indigenous Artists Market Collective). Tracy was born and raised in Edmonton, and her Scottish Metis family roots connect to Turtle Mountain, St. Paul de Metis, and Red River Settlements.

Thank you so much for sharing Tracy!!!

1. Tell me about you and the incredible work you do!

Well, I wear a lot of hats, but the thing that connects everything that I do is that they are all rooted in community. I am a Metis person working as a birth worker with Indigenous Birth of Alberta (www.indigenousbirthalberta.org & www.steadyhanddoula.com) where we support other birthworkers in their home communities as well as birthing families from all walks of life. Hand in hand with that is my work as a childbirth educator, and I also host family circles. I'm really fortunate to be a mentor to many and an eternal student learning from the elders and other birth workers.

I own and operate Grow Centre (www.growonwhyte.com), founded in 2014, which is a coworking space by day with excellent local artists, and businesses. By evening and weekend we transform to a workshop space where we do classes including: Beading, moccasin making, ribbon skirt making, reiki training, birth oriented training and classes, meet-ups and more. We are active in the LGBTQIA2S communities as well being home to the QUILTBAG and some community events with Edmonton 2 Spirit Society.

I also own Nikawiy Handmade, a shop for beaders and Indigenous art collectors. Nikawiy means 'my mother' and honours both my mother and those that I work alongside in all of the work that I do. We ship world-wide and have all Indigenous handmade goods, as well as supplies like beads, wool, and hides for producing authentic traditional fine craft. I sew, bead moccasins, and design jewelry. I also teach the same skills at Grow Centre and in schools. I am also an artist (www.tracybradleyart.com) and board member with IAM - Indigenous Artists' Market Collective.

2. What do you love most about the work you do?

I love the people, and the community I feel I've built. It's been an amazing few years of seeing people connect and grow through the work that is done.

3. How does the work you do impact women in your community?

The work I do in this community gives people traditional skills, and connects an often disconnected urban Indigenous population to their community and craft. Some people take these teachings and start their own small businesses. There is nothing more satisfying. We support women, trans women and those beyond the gender binary in achieving their business goals and growth going from renting a desk or office part time, to having their own bricks and mortar businesses. We have also helped other businesses weather the storm of the pandemic by being creative with our retail space; going beyond the traditional model to a space-sharing model.

From a perspective as a birth worker, one who is supported and introduced to a community in their childbearing years, has a much better experience. From social support, friendship and safe spaces to debrief and share their lived experiences. I love to see the friendships, and expansion of traditional family grow from these interactions, my own included!

4. How has living through this pandemic shaped your work?

Living and working through the pandemic has made me keenly aware of the things that were not working for me on all levels. I've learned from my community that a traditional approach to retail isn't necessary to have a successful venture. I can set healthy boundaries around hours and be creative with staffing. I've also learned that taking care of my home-fires comes first. My family needed a lot more emotional and scholastic help this year, and it was a big stretch for me. That helped me prioritize, because I literally had to trim the work that wasn't 'working' for me.

I have blossomed creatively, and recently had my first art show. I'm working on a body of work to have more shows later this year.

5. Who are the women that you draw inspiration from?

My Aunties (with a capital "A"), and my sisters. They are doing such amazing work creatively, and passionately. Roxanne Tootoosis, Dr. Lana Whiskeyjack, Nadia Houle, Sidsel Bradley, and my mom Janice Simpson. These are just a few, as I have so many every-day people I admire!

6. What are you up to these days?

We are announcing a project later this month in response to the residential schools 'discovery'. I say it like that because the community has always known about this genocide, and is finally able to grieve collectively.

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Tracy is booking events again at Grow Centre - if you are looking for a space to host a group or event, I recommend connecting with her! I also invite you to see Tracy’s BEAUTIFUL beadwork and artwork - you can visit her online or in their space on Whyte Ave (10516 82 Ave) !

Thank you Tracy!!!! You inspire so many of us through the important work you do! Hiy hiy.