Winter Solstice Collection
his time of year is so important to our people, the Anishinaabeg. It’s time that we take to feast and honour our ancestors who have passed on into the spirit world. I call this skirt my ancestor skirt. I made it in honouring my gokum-baa, shomis-baa and all my relatives who made their journey into the spirit world.
When creating this new collection I have put a lot of thought into these pieces that I created. Every piece represents the colours of black and white that we use in ceremony during this time of year. They all tell a story, I had so many names I wanted to call this collection. I ended up going with the Winter Solstice Collection, because this name talks about so much. It talks about rest, it talks about our animals who now taking on different coats, it talks about the stories being shared and the ancestors who walk with us everyday during this time.
At the bottom of this skirt is the most special part of this skirt, those hearts and leaves represents the spirits of my ancestors. And it goes all around the bottom of the skirt, to show that they’re always around me.
The Midnight dress, black and white tones with Anishinaabeg ancient otter track design. This dress is the celebration of the Anishinaabeg ancestor ceremonies and the dark winter nights.
The Nokomis camp skirt, inspired by my late Gokum-baa. My gokum only use to have these style skirt when I was a little girl I make these for her. The white snow appliqué skirt. Made with white satin, this skirt is inspired by Mother Earth’s white coat she gets every winter.
This Trillium Midnight medicine bag, inspired by the long winter nights and the crisp white snow that covers Mother Earth. Anishinaabeg make bags out of wool and leather, with florals designs to hold their sacred items and medicines.
The Ancestor set, with strict black and white appliqué.
The black otter track hat. Including the otter track design in this collection was important for me to have this significant design to represent my woodland and Anishinaabe identity.
