Pimaatisiwin Quilts
Find Alice on Facebook!
  • HOME
  • BIO
  • NEWS
  • GALLERY
    • Anishinaabe-Kwewag Floral Designs
    • Loon Series
    • Apple Quilt Series
    • Star Blanket Series
    • Medicine Wheel Series
    • Original Motifs
    • Conventional & Contemporary Quilt Patterns
    • Inspired by Others
    • Community Quilt Projects
  • EXHIBITIONS
  • PUBLICATIONS
  • LINKS
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG
  • I am Known for My Quilts
Picture

   STAR BLANKET SERIES

Picture"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

Picture"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 ~

Picture
The First Spirit 30" X 30"
Picture
"Two Spirit Star"
Picture
"A Christmas Star"
Picture
"Star Song" 50.5x56"
Picture
"Ancestors Watch Over Us I" 75x75"
Picture
Log Cabin Star 41x41"
Picture
Private Collection 94x94"
Picture
"Shining Star"
Picture
"Star of Wonder" Private Collection
Picture
"Nimishoomis' Shining Spirit"
Picture
"Diane's Spirit"
Picture
"Star Bright" 51x55.5"
Picture
Private Collection 72x72"
Picture
Private Collection 90.5x99'
Picture
Private Collection 68.5x68.5"
Picture
Third Spirit 30" X 30"
Picture
Private Collection 79x79"
Picture
"Happy Spirits"
Picture
"Chi Kookom's Spirit"
Picture
"My Kookom's Spirit"
Picture
"Star Light" 59"x64.5"
Picture
Private Collection 70.5x70.5"
Picture
Second Spirit 34"x34"
Picture
Collection of Phil Fontaine 54x54"
Picture
Private Collection 73x79.5"
Picture
Fifth Spirit 32"x32"
Picture
"Navajo Star Blanket' 61x73"
Picture
"Starblanket" 70x94"
Picture
"Navajo Star Blanket" 62x73"
   

Picture
"Midewiwin Women's Colours"

"
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.



Picture
"Starblanket for Jan Longboat" 97.5x98.5"


"Starblanket for Jan Longboat"

This starblanket quilt was created to honor the teachings of renowned Elder, traditional healer and herbalist Jan Longboat (Haudenosaunee). 


​  
HOME
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.