A mother's love is bold. A mother's love is fierce. It's all-consuming and all-encompassing. It's physical and emotional. It is never ending. This love is what I was feeling as I cut and sewed sections of fabric over and over, letting them take their own shape.
My heart was aching in the process because I was thinking about the overwhelming love and immense grief of the mothers of the 215 children buried at the residential school in Kamloops. Then I started thinking of the additional 4,100 First Nations, Métis and Inuit children who lost their lives in residential schools — ripped from the arms of their mothers and fathers, never to return.
This pain isn't in the past, it is our present. We have to work together, in love, following the lead of Indigenous mothers, elders and communities to ensure this pain doesn't keep repeating itself.
As a small step, I'm donating 100% of the sale of this wall hanging to the Residential Schools Survivors Society, which provides essential services to survivors, their families and those dealing with Intergenerational traumas.
Quilt hanging details:
W 14.5 x H 19 inches
100% cotton fabric and batting
Created by Kristy Woudstra in Hamilton, Ont.
Machine quilted with hand-stitched binding
Tabs are included on the back so it can be easily hung in your home
Wash in cold water and hang to dry