Statement

“This is Tayven Wolf Sandy, born March 30. He is Bear Clan. Tayven is a content baby who brings joy to everyone he meets. For the past year my family has gone through a lot. My younger brothers lost their father to suicide in November. Tayven was born on their father’s birthday. Tayven has helped my brothers and mother in their healing process. He has brought happiness and hope back in their lives. Where their is death, there will always be life.”

Represented here are 4 generations: 2 great-grandmothers, 2 grandmothers, the father, myself and Tayven.

Tayven is the first generation not directly touched by intergenerational residential school experience. He is at the end of the old and the beginning of the new.

~ Miigwaans Mercedes Sandy

Sandy’s Round 1 artwork screamed for change, her new work screams with joy.

In 1976 this quilt was made by the children from the St Ignatius Day School (1973 to present)former Residential School (1855-1972) in Montana. It was gifted to me in 1976. The quilt is very threadbare and has never been repaired. I appliqued the photos on to the quilt and gave it to Mercedes.

Morning Star, like the star on the blanket, was the name given to General Custer. I would prefer that this beautiful morning star be for her family and gain a new meaning. It goes to Mercedes not just as a gift from me, but from all the Call to Action artists.

A First Nations teaching says the mightiest person is an infant because even the most negative person in the world coos to a baby. He touches the heart. That is what we hope this infant boy will do.

~ Mary Louise Meiers