b'TEXTILE ARTappropriate vehicle for women to speak out about MMIWG since women from around the world have always used quilts as a way to keep their stories. With financial support from the federal government and guidance from facilitator Melanie Morrison, the Ashukan Cultural Space sent out invitations through womens centres and Indigenous commun-ities. The first week we had four women; the second week we had five. By the end of our project, we had 27 women, says St-Louis. Some came from Indigenous communities, but there were also women from locations as diverse as Korea and Martinique.In September 2019, the women started gathering weekly with an elder from the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory and a professional embroiderer from the Mohawk community to support them. Each woman created a square. The squares were all gathered and sent to a master quiltmaker, and she had 12 weeks to produce a quilt, Nadine St-Louis: "Women around the world have always used quilts to keep theirSt-Louis says.stories" (Photo: Nadya Kwandibens, Redworks Photography)The quilt was presented at the National Aboriginal Trust Officers Associations Indigenous Womens Summit, which took place in QUILTING CIRCLE Montreal from March 9 to 11, and was installed for an exhibit at Further south in Montreal, an initiative called Women Are Sistersthe Ashukan Cultural Space that opened on March 12. It was is bringing women of many cultures together at the Ashukanthe last exhibition in Montreal before the shutdown for COVID. Cultural Space to honour the lives of MMIWG through theThere was so much love; there was so much awe. There were tears creation of a memory quilt. Quilts have traditionally reflected thewhen people read the stories, says St-Louis. I cant describe the lives and stories of their makers, and this quilting project is nopride and the beauty of the women who attended. No one knew different. It offers a way for silenced women to tell their stories in athey were the participants.safe and accessible way. Eventually, the quilt will be presented in other locations, and One of the main things that people who have experiencedperhaps digitized as well. We realized we want to continue this violence face is the silence, says Nadine St-Louis, executivework, because its so beneficial, says St-Louis. Art is the narrative director of Sacred Fire Productions, which operates the Ashukancord to healing on so many levels. I think women can change the Cultural Space. The quilting project, stresses St-Louis, is anworld through textile art.Now accepting applications Pre Health Sciences *NEW Business Diploma Early Childhood Education Police Foundations Social Service Worker - Indigenous Specialization Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention Bachelor Of Education (University Degree Program)Visit www.oshki-wenjack.cafor more information or callBecome an Oshki-Wenjack student today! Admissions: 807-626-1880Ontario Native Womens Association35'