Atonaan Blackfoot quillwork

Abstract

My art practice focuses on Siksikaitsitapi or Blackfoot porcupine quillwork techniques while incorporating my contemporary art practice. My art practice is informed by stories of how I continue to work from a lived experience as a Blackfoot artist raised within the Blackfoot ways of being, also referred to as Siksikaitsitapi. I have viewed the digital images from Apani Blackfoot Digital Library and Mootookakio’ssin website. I feel a responsibility to learn and preserve the art of quillwork and to take pride and celebrate in my ancestorial art form. Quillwork reflects the connection to my ancestors that I want to honor. My quillwork practice, both historic-based and contemporary, will evaluate connections between Siksikaitsitapi existence within cosmology belief systems and the continuance of affirming cultural rejuvenation while contributing to the respect deserving to the environment.