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STAR BLANKET SERIES
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 "A Starblanket for Healing"
A Starblanket for Healing"
was commissioned for a Native Women's shelter in Toronto, and is a source of healing for First Nations peoples. The imagery in
the quilt represents a legend, and the tradition of how the Peace Drum
came to the Anishinaabe people. The three flames in the center of the
star represent the Three Fires Society that is important to Anishinaabe
history, and they also represent the mind, body and spirit; the past,
present and future; and morning, noon and night. At the base of the
flames is the Pimaatisiwin Circle and all that it symbolizes. This
quilt "speaks to us about the objectives set out by our
ancestors, that to live in harmony with the land and all that the
Creator has given us, and to remember the ways of the spiritual healing
and teachings." (Alice Olsen Williams)
By repeating twenty-four "8-pointed star" quilting blocks as a border
for the quilt, Alice Olsen Williams references traditional quilting
patterns and methods, and completes the integration of her dual heritage
in her work. Excerpt
from the Curatorial Essay by Janet Clark, "Pimaatisiwin: Quilts by
Alice Olsen Williams, Thunder Bay Art Gallery, May 15 - July 5, 1992
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 "Starblanket and Fires" 77x77"
"Starblanket and Fires"
The Starblanket is a source of healing and represents the teaching of how the Peace Drum came to the Anishinaabeg. "At one time our men had fallen into aggressive, war-like behavior. Their songs, dances, drums and dreams were inspired by greed and war, contrary to the teachings of the Creator. This way of life caused anguish, fears and disrespect among the populace. One day a certain young Anishinaabe-Kwe was alone in the bush, meditating, when a Sky Being came to her. This Spirit Being told the young woman that the men in her society had to change their dreams drumsticks, dances and medicines into visions and instruments of peace. Because the young woman would be the one to bring the message of peace to her people, the Sky Being gave her the instructions to all the meanings attached to making the original Peace Drum. She tool these teachings to the Anishinaabe men and so helped her society to live in peace and harmony and balance with the Creation. The three flames in the center of the star represent the body, mind and spirit; the past, present and future; and the morning, noon and night." (Alice Olsen Williams) |
PLEASE CLICK ON QUILT FOR DETAILED VIEW ~
"The First Spirit"
"Two Spirit Star"
"A Christmas Star"
"Star Song" 50.5x56"
"Ancestors Watch Over Us I" 75x75"
Log Cabin Star 41x41"
Private Collection 94x94"
"Shining Star"
Fourth Spirit 29.5x29.5"
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"Star of Wonder" Private Collection
"Nimishoomis' Shining Spirit"
"Diane's Spirit"
"Star Bright" 51x55.5"
Private Collection 72x72"
Private Collection 90.5x99'
Private Collection 68.5x68.5"
Third Spirit
Private Collection 79x79"
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"Happy Spirits"
"Chi Kookom's Spirit"
"My Kookom's Spirit"
"Star Light" 59"x64.5"
Private Collection 70.5x70.5"
Second Spirit
Collection of Phil Fontaine 54x54"
Private Collection 73x79.5"
Fifth Spirit 32x32"
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"Navajo Star Blanket' 61x73"
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"Starblanket" 70x94"
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"Navajo Star Blanket" 62x73"
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"Midewiwin Women's Colours"
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"Midewiwin Women's Colours" The Star Blanket design is used by each First Nation, and each has their own story about its meaning. For the Anishinaabeg, "Midewiwin Women's Colours" is about the Sky Being that came to a meditating Anishinaabe woman, and gave her instructions on how the Anishinaabeg can live in peace." (Alice Olsen Williams) This quilt was featured as the official 2010 Christmas card for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, signed by John Duncan, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians. |
"Starblanket for Jan Longboat" 97.5x98.5"
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"Starblanket for Jan Longboat" This starblanket quilt was created to honor the teachings of renowned Elder, traditional healer and herbalist Jan Longboat (Haudenosaunee). |
