Modern #300

Laura Gates, Joanne Davenport, Cindy Jensen Fisk
Delta, British Columbia

“Little Spirits” was inspired by the discovery of 215 unmarked graves at the Tk’emlups Indian Residential School. A combination of quilting and elements of Indigenous button blankets were used to create a multicultural expression of the horrific legacy of these institutions. The goal was to bring light into the darkness.

Techniques and Materials
Machine piecing. Cotton, shell buttons

Quilting
Joanne Davenport, Remarkable Impressions Quilting, using a computerized, framed machine.

Credits

215 little spirits in unmarked graves represent the start of the horrific discoveries at just one of the 139 government sanctioned, church run, Indian Residential Schools in Canada. My mother was a survivor, but sadly many children did not make it home. The buttons on the crosses represent the unknown number of our ancestors not yet found at the other 138 institutions. The ones going through the smoke holes represent the journey of the children who died at these schools to Lax Haa (the sky) when they passed on. Walk softly; walk softly on the breath of our grandfathers. This is how we honour those who have passed.” Cindy Jensen Fisk. Images by Alisha Johnston – permission received

Size
70″x80″