I have to say this was a very personal project for me. I am a survivor, so I know how your life can be changed in a instant at the hands of a stranger. The left hand figure represents the murdered women and the right hand the missing. These are done on brain tanned pigment painted moose hide, using cut 13/0 charlottes and also 24 K. gold and Sterling silver plated beads. I wanted the scene to give the feeling of the darkness these women have had put upon them. And that their souls are now in the heavens. by Angela Swedberg Akiilúaihaatbaachaash
Tasha Beeds
Moccasin "Vamps"
"Prairie Wildflowers" in memory of Daleen Bosse Muskego whom I knew as a student and as a friend. It's my first time beading, but I wanted to honour her memory as well as the strength of her family. I believe that each bead, each stitch, each thought, and each prayer we have made is a collective light and love that shines for all those sisters, mothers, daughters, wives, grandmothers, aunties, cousins, and friends who have gone missing or who have had their lives stolen. by Tasha Beeds
Tania Budgell
Moccasin "Vamps"
I spent a long time thinking about what I wanted to make, especially after seeing photos of the amazing vamps that were being submitted. I began thinking more and more about the women in my immediate family and how important they are to me and how much they have influenced me. I really started thinking about my grandma who passed away peacefully in 2009. She was unconventional, intelligent, and she had strong opinions about gender equality - and I miss her so much. She taught me about things like fractals, opera, and the importance of literature and vocabulary, and along the way showed me the value of independence and generosity and so much more. While thinking about her and this project, I was struck by how so many Aboriginal women are missing and how many have been brutalized and murdered - how some of these women are grandmas, or women who never got the chance to become grandmas. Imagining the heartache and loss their families go through is unbearable to me. All of these women are loved and deeply missed by their families and friends. All these women are important. I just don’t have the incredible beading skills that so many people have used for their vamps. Instead, I stitched mine using materials that belonged to my grandma. The backing and buttons came from a shirt of hers that I kept after she passed away and the coloured sewing threads were also hers. The buttons represent my grandma, my mom, my two sisters and there is one button for me. by Tania Budgell
Miranda Belarde-Lewis
Moccasin "Vamps"
Corn Mothers They represent the life givers. Each one of their seeds is able to bring new generations into being, to feed our bodies and spirits, and to contribute as distinct individuals of our unique communities. Special thanks to my mother-in-law, Geri Bullchild Purcel for doing the edging and to Christi for allowing us all to participate in such deeply healing and powerful work. by Miranda Belarde-Lewis
Lucy Baker
Moccasin "Vamps"
The horses are painted and I'm not great with words,but in thinking about this project , I was thinking about wild mustangs and being free,something about girls and women makes me associate with them, the freshwater pearls , has something to do with the purity of the water, the roughness of the leather , something to do with the strength of these girls and women, the softness of the leather is something to do with familiar feelings and love.The black and white horses kind of like Yin and Yang , good and bad,both have played a part in taking these girls and ladies away,but at the same time bringing us altogether ,to do this project, for them.The gold beads, are the hope ,things we have, we share, mutual riches,life, love , caring, sharing.The orange trim (I haven't put on yet) is for the sun, sunsets, sunrise,(losing the girls and women,but adding new children , families of their families continuing on). I have great hope this project will really help to raise awareness for these missing and murdered girls and women, that is really why I am here.I am even hopeful as a result some maybe even still alive and might even be found.That is my greatest wish of all. by Lucy Baker
Monica Boutwell
Moccasin "Vamps"
My 12 year old daughter's pair on the top and mine underneath. by Monica Boutwell
White Bear
Moccasin "Vamps"
Embroidery and a little beadwork - on their way today. Always in our hearts...Six stars for the 6 hundred women and six hundred contributions, forget-me-not braids and infinity ribbons. by White Bear
Kim Beaulieu
Moccasin "Vamps"
I never met Edith. Although I did meet her beautiful daughter, who would marry my nephew. Edith left her small northern community with dreams to become a nurse. Off to the big city she went with her young daughter in tow. Sometimes plans don't always turn out. Sometimes one prepares coffee and puts out cups for two. A guest? Sometimes the guest does not have a good intention. Edith was found lifeless in her apartment. It was ruled a suicide even though there were things in the apartment that suggested otherwise. The Dove represents Edith's Divine Spirit which holds the bleeding heart of a life cut short and unable to physically hold the outstretched hand of her young daughter. Leah Mac was 11 at the time. She spent time in foster care, and was taken in by a loving woman named Mary. "Just Mary" to many. She gave her love and became Grandmother to Leah. She ensured her safety and kept a watchful eye to see her grow into adulthood. Leah married, raises her 2 beautiful daughters and handsome son with her husband today. She has grieved the tragic loss of her mother throughout the years and intuitively & spiritually knows it was not suicide. She inquired about having the case reopened and was turned away. The hand represents Leah Mac. The little one who missed out on the physical loving touch her mother. The teen who may have needed a hand in direction or making decisions. The pat on the back when she graduated high school. The young woman who needed a hand to hold as she past into adulthood, gave birth or returned to school. She completed her Mother's dream and is now [...]
