The art of making the Miss FNUniv's Powwow Princess crown

On Sunday, the First Nations University of Canada will crown its 2016 Powwow Princess at the annual spring powwow.

It's a stunning and exciting moment for the new princess when her dreams become reality as the crown is placed on her head. 

• Reigning Miss FNUniv Princess reflects on year as powwow royalty
• First Nations University of Canada's spring powwow

But the princess isn't the only one who worked hard to reach that point. The story of how the crown came to be is just as layered. 

Thomas Benjoe is the artist behind this year's spring masterpiece made up of coloured beads in floral designs and intricate patterns. 

Benjoe learned bead working from his aunt when he was nine years old. Now 30, he said making the crown is a huge honour. 

"I know a lot of the girls are always very excited to wear the crown, given the amount of work that goes into it," Benjoe said during an interview on CBC's Saskatchewan Weekend. 

A detailed process

Benjoe said it takes him about 100 hours to make the crown, but the design process goes back much further. 

"It takes almost half a year just to think about what that design is going to be next and colours and making sure colour schemes go well, and finding the beads," he explained. 

He said because beads vary by colour, he had to travel around Canada and even into the United States to find specific shades he was looking for.  

But despite the time it takes, Benjoe said he enjoys the process. 

"It's a form of relaxation for me, and I try and encourage other people to do bead work," he said.

"I do spend the time to teach some of my friends and relatives as well, so that the craft continues on and we can continue passing down those teachings."

The newest Powwow Princess will accept her crown Sunday evening. 

It's a moment that Benjoe says is filled with mixed emotions between contestants, but the happiness on the faces of the winner's friends and family, and the support from the community, makes it all worth while. 

"It's one of the reasons I do the crown every year. It's just to see that look of pride on the girl's face," he said.