Kate Laubernds (she/her) began Chokecherry Dreams Beadwork in early 2021. She resides in Cowlitz land, otherwise known as Camas, WA. Kate grew up in Northern California and made her way to the Pacific NW, where she’s lived for the last 19 years. Kate is mixed Indigenous and European descent (Irish and German) She is Amskapi Piikani (Blackfeet) and Choctaw on her paternal side. Kate’s father was raised on and off the Blackfeet Reservation and it is who she feels most connected to. Kate spent many summers as a child visiting her family on the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning Montana where she attended ceremonies, learned about local plant medicines, rode horses, and learned about Piikani culture and her own family history. Kate is active in events and volunteering with her local Indigenous community, as well as continues her Piikani language and sacred plant medicine education.

Chokecherry Dreams Beadwork inspiration draws upon both traditional Piikani culture, as well as contemporary influences.

“I’m inspired to live in a way that would make my great-grandmother, Míísinsskiaakii, proud. She helped raise my late father and was the last fluent Piikani speaker of my family. I hope to carry on the traditions of my people to my own children and the generations to come.”