The Air, Water, Earth Beading collective is a group of three first nations women that have or are currently living in the Alberni Valley.

Kateri Duetsch belongs to the ?esdilagh First Nations and has lived in the Alberni Valley over the past 26 years. Her daughter, Grace Duetsch, is a born and raised Albernian, who is a part of the Huu-ay-aht First Nation. The Final member of the collective is Corissa O’Donnell. A Metis Artist that has been living here over the past 5 years. 

They all have varying backgrounds, Grace having recently completed The Crisis Worker program at Discovery College, Kateri has completed the Indigenous Human Services Program, and Corissa has a degree in Art & Design from Alberta College. 

Corissa and Kateri were both working at WorkBC when they first met, and instantly clicked and became friends. The three women bonded over their love of beaded Jewelry and the importance of being connected to their roots, they quickly started their journey on starting the beading collective. While they have been working together for only 2 short years, there is a unique look to each pair of earrings. Kateri and Grace have been making jewelry on their own for several years, while Corissa has spent much of her life as a musician and artist. Each artist appreciates and cherishes the freedom of creativity and connection to themselves and their culture that each pair of earrings promote. 

The main focus of Air, Water, Earth Collective is beaded earrings. The ladies enjoy how each pair is different in design and flow. While they work to support their communities and their beading, Kateri enjoys writing poetry in their spare time, Grace pursues other art mediums and crafts, and Corissa writes and performs original music. 

You can come view their work in person at The Grove art gallery, or check out their facebook page @Air, Water, Earth.