Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Tribal and Mennonite Quilt Diplomacy
ne je’stekjde Dakj
Mennonites and Amish have long been known
for their excellent quilting skills. In
the North American West, they have found themselves to be in good company –
especially on the Fort Peck Reservation, home also to several Mennonite communities
and nearby Hutterite Colonies.
I have been in a special position to
appreciate this as the grandson of the perpetual head of the EMB Ladies’ AID
quilt committee and the son of a mother who herself learned to quilt from Native
American quilters at the school in which she taught. I deeply treasure both my Schmekfest Quilt
and my two star quilts – one made by my mother and one given to me upon
graduation by her best friend.
