Meet Vickie Jeffries | Indigenous Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vickie Jeffries and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vickie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I was inspired to continue the crafts of my ancestors the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation.

I often hear that the Indigenous crafts are slowly fading away and that is not true because there are a lot of Indigenous artists.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an Indigenous beader, basket weaver, and Traditional Herbalist. I am most excited about carrying on the traditional crafts of my ancestors.

In the beginning, I tried many different styles of my crafts, but I eventually started researching the crafts of my people and started to learn how they beaded and made baskets.

It also taught me respect for the materials I work with and treating them with respect. Such as weaving baskets using pine needles or reeds they are alive and have a spirit.
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My work comes from a place of respect and love and, each bead, pine needle, or reed is created with love.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
1. OBSN tribal grounds reconstructed village.

2. Hillsborough Reconstructed Village.

3. Town Creek Mounds. Mt, Gilead, NC.

4. Eat at Weaver Street Market in Hillsborough, NC.

5. Press Coffee+Crepes in Graham, NC.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation.

Website: www.mihehetoa.Com