My chaotic human experience has shaped the way that I move through the world and the way that I care for others. As a late diagnosed neurodivergent human with sensory processing sensitivities, I experience life very intensely. On another level that cannot be adequately expressed through words. Through my early developmental stages into teenage years, into early adult life, I perceived my sensitivities as something that I needed to fix in order to make the world comfortable. I was given labels by professionals who didn’t ask the right questions to help. And I was receiving this message that I should be feeling shame all the time. Having lived a little bit now, I have learned that sensitivity is not a weakness or mean I have some kind of deficit of being a human. It’s actually a little girl who is chronically misunderstood and now I have reflective awareness to know she deserves healing.
My journey towards wellness has not been easy. I carried heavy things that have shaped who I am. I now look at that little small girl inside me.. maybe now she can be seen and heard. And now I get to take care of her. We…. meaning the little me, and the Auntie Jusinda I am today…We reflect regularly about times in life when basic survival itself just felt like a 24-7 responsibility. Even though I carry those hardships…I am also reminded I carry earned resilience. The resilience that was passed down through generations before me, the mamas aunties kokoms who sewed blankets for their family babies. Keeping them warm. Letting their babies know they are loved as they are. I’m here today because my ancestors opened the doors for me. I am reminded everyday through my own personal integrity and intentions. We… again meaning ..little me and the..Auntie I am today, take that responsibility very seriously, and also proud of the willingness to keep going, keep trying, rest, then keep going – âhkamêyimok.
I am forever proud of the Indigenous women who are out here breaking cycles, no continued hurt. So, I know better now through lived experience that I AM worthy of care too. The commitment to healing is directly from my internal matriarchs moral compass that lives through me. I honour those strong women who put blankets on their babies and their communities. And taking care of me, showing up and living authentically me.. is honouring those experiences.
I live with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) + understand life through a sensory amplifier that makes me experience differently than most. Most importantly, which I also learned, that is quite okay. Just good information for me to make informed decisions then respond to my own needs. I just release, with my whole heart..the expectation that I MUST meet the impossible standard of others and/or society.. if the expectation carries too much pressure, I’ll set it down. The emotional labour is just not worth it.. so instead, I just honour my limits, honour the sensitivities the world wants me to abandon. Cause I tell YOU…shrinking myself ..wasn’t it anymore. The shift towards healing…for me…was to honour my unique experience of the world. It has helped me understand and accept myself, and in turn for others. Releasing the pressure has helped relieve mountains of internalized guilt and shame… just for being authentically me. Freedom of expression is a thing and we all deserve a little grace. don’t you think?
I know now.. I’m going to be okay…because of the Auntie I am today. Because I have a million beading projects on the go because my brain and body will let me know when I need to rest. I love the process of expression in beadwork and the process of creating! Beadwork has allowed me to be a better person.. Learn valuable useful information to protect myself. My spirit lives in the beads when I make a project. The matriarchs who led beadwork circles have allowed me to see my gift and serve as a reminder I am allowed to pick a niche in this life, tap into my spirit and do the things that make me happy, and do my best work. All while…Processing my emotions (no matter how long that takes) while channeling my inner matriarch.. My beadwork helps me express my experiences that are difficult to explain in words. 1 Thread and 1 Needle has helped me reconnect with parts of myself I hid away. No more silencing the part of me that make me who I am.. and who al I? Well I think I’m a sensitive Auntie and I think that’s okay.
Bio: Jusinda Rosenkerr (she/her) is the creative force behind The Beadbox Creations. Originally from Meadow Lake and now based in Saskatoon, she is a practicing Registered Social Worker with a background in Indigenous wellness, clinical mental health, and community support.
Reconnecting with her Métis and Cree heritage, she discovered beadwork as a powerful tool for wellness and creative expression. Jusinda is passionate about sharing her gift of beadwork through workshops that foster connection, creativity, and culturally safe spaces for authentic self-expression. Her work blends wellness, storytelling, and artistic practice to support healing on both individual and community levels.
