Sky Woman, Turtle Island and the Three Sisters
Embroidery, 2020
This creation story is inspired by Robin Kimmerer’s “Braiding Sweetgrass”. My abbreviated version is as follows: Sky Woman fell from the sky toward the dark water. Geese broke her fall and held her with their soft feathers. All the animals held a council to decide how to help her and turtle offered his back for her to stand on. The council agreed she would need land to stand on, and mud was rumored to be deep under the water. Many animals dove deep trying to bring mud up, but only lowly muskrat was successful even though it cost him his life. Mud from muskrat’s fist was spread on turtles back, and Sky Woman danced in celebration casting the seeds she brought with her. Sky Woman tended to the plants and there was plenty to eat for everyone. Three sisters (corn, beans, and squash) grew in concert.
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