Challenge issued to quilters of Akwesasne

By Kyrie Ransom

The artist community in Akwesasne is well established. Basket makers, sculptors, painters, photographers, quilters; these are just a few of the many different creative forms of expression that have been passed down from one generation to the next, whether it is mothers teaching their daughters how to bead, or grandmothers teaching their grandchildren how to quilt, many budding artists would not have gotten their start if not for the knowledge passed down to them.

The Akwesasne Winter Carnival is in its 2oth year of celebration within the community and is being hosted by the Snye Recreation Centre. This year the Quilters Bingo is making some changes: instead of showcasing the quilters of Akwesasne, the organizers of this event are challenging all the quilters of Akwesasne to donate a lap quilt as entry into this year’s Quilters Bingo. All quilts collected will be donated to elders living in the Tsi Ionkwanonhsote and Iakhisohtha living facilities.

“I was reading this magazine article about a woman who collected quilts for children in chronic care facilities and I thought that would be perfect for our Tota’s!” exclaimed Lynn Roundpoint-Chaussi, coordinator for the Quilters Bingo. “These quilts will help give comfort to these people who are away from their homes, family, pets and all that they are used too. This a chance to give tribute to all the things they have given us, like life lessons, knowledge, wisdom.”

With the addition of the lap quilt entry fee, the Quilters Bingo is also expanding to encompass two days of quilting fun. The first day of the Quilters weekend will be the morning of Feb. 12 at the Homemakers Building, with the Quilters Bingo taking place the following day at the Snye Recreation Centre. All donated quilts will be on display at the Snye Recreation Centre before being donated to the elders care facilities.

“At this point our challenge to the community is to have 70-80 quilts donated for this project.” Explained Roundpoint-Chaussi. “Considering that last year we made 100 packages and they all were given out, I think we can reach our goal.”

The specifications for the Quilters Bingo Lap Quilts are:

Quilt should be made on sewing machine

Quilt should not be larger than 42”X52” or smaller than 36”X48”

Quilt should be made from 100% cotton fabrics

Quilt can be hand quilted, machine stitched, or tied

Quilt CANNOT include pins, clear nylon thread, or buttons

Quilt must be odor free

Submissions must be suitable for presentation in a public forum