Aboriginal Healing Quilt Displayed At Manitoba Legislative Building
February 19, 2007
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Quilt a Symbol of Healthy Land, Healthy People: Irvin-Ross
Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross today took part in a welcoming ceremony for an Aboriginal healing quilt that will be displayed in the Manitoba Legislative Building.
“The quilt is meant to remind Aboriginal Peoples of the special relationship they have to the land and the importance of caring for and nurturing it and all of creation,” said Irvin-Ross. “I am honoured to take part in this ceremony and hope the message this quilt sends is heard by all people in this province.”
The healing quilt is 14 feet by almost six feet and has 44 blocks. Each block was created by Aboriginal artists from across Canada. At the corner of each block is a star, symbolizing the spirits of ancestors and relations who are always present. The Assembly of First Nations Women’s Council sponsored the quilt which has hung at the United Nations and will be showcased in different forums across Canada and the United States to share its unifying and healing messages.Astrid MacNeill, co-ordinator of the White Wolf Speaking program of the Sexuality Education Resource Centre, the keeper of the quilt while it is in Manitoba, is one of several Manitoba artists who contributed to the quilt.
“From the time of our first fires, our ancestors developed a symbiotic relationship with the earth, based on the delicate balance between all living things on the earth. This kinship determined the natural law which makes us responsible for Turtle Island, now known as the North American continent,” said MacNeill. “The natural law, or the great law, holds us accountable to ensure the survival of the earth for the Seventh Generation to come. We need, therefore, to look after our health to ensure the sustainability of the earth.”
Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Eric Robinson said the arts have traditionally been an important means of expression, communication and education. They are used to symbolize knowledge, understanding and feelings and have played an important role in teaching, he said, adding the act of creating is considered one of the most sacred ways of expressing oneself.
“This quilt promotes healing in Aboriginal communities because, through visual language, it helps affirm cultural authenticity, connection to the land and a person’s relationship to creation,” said Robinson. “The symbols in the quilt speak about who Aboriginal Peoples are, where they come from and where they naturally belong – to the earth. The quilt is a medicine bundle for people in the communities it visits.”
The quilt will be hung on the main floor on the east side of the Grand Staircase at the Manitoba Legislative Building until Friday. Manitobans who contributed blocks for the quilt will share in the welcoming ceremony which includes a drum song, smudge and feast. A book describing the history and significance of the quilt, along with comments from all contributors, will accompany the display.
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