In the beginning the world was covered in water. No land, just water. All that would become the world we know came from the water.
Our Creation Story tells us that Onkwehonwe are star people, our world, our teachings, our life, our place in the universe and all we know began in the Sky World.
In a spiritual time, the Sky Woman, with her baby still in her belly, fell from the sky world and landed on the waiting wings of the Waterfowl who flew up to meet her. They held her until a permanent place for her to land was found. It was the Great Turtle's offer to hold her that was accepted by the Water Animals. So, she was placed safely on the shell of the Great Turtle.
The Water Animals agreed she needed soil to soften the shell for Sky Woman to walk upon. The Beaver and Otter tried to dive to the bottom of the water and bring up soil but were not successful. It was the Muskrat, who was much smaller, but very determined, who was successful in bringing up soil from the bottom of the sea. However, the Muskrat gave up its life in the effort.
The soil was removed from the Muskrat's paws and given to the Sky Woman by the Beaver. The spiritual Water Birds, Water Animals and the Oldest Spirits of the Earth watched as Sky Woman gave thanks and placed the soil filled with life on the Great Turtle's shell.
This quilt shares that moment, just as Sky Woman places the soil on the Great Turtle's shell.
Katsitsionni Fox
Ohneka'shon:a
"Our First Home"
Visitors from the Sky World
Three Sisters Seed Pot
Kjoaetzen Collective
The Kjoaetzen Collective is comprised primarily comprised of painters, farmers from the "Sierra Mazateca," in Oaxaca, Mexico. These Mazatec artists strive to weave together their deep love for the land into their artistic practice. They see art as the connecting force between cultures and communities. As they spread their message of regenerative growth, they also seek to inspire communities to return to the land and rekindle old agricultural practices
