Sacred Space

Tipi #1 / 6x6 / acrylic on gallery canvas

I had the great privilege of being raised in a magical place north of '56.  Leaf Rapids is nestled in the viridian boreal forest, on the cusp of the Canadian shield, surrounded by the clear, cool water of the Churchill River.  A place we were taught the Cree arts of bannock baking, beading, canoeing, snow shoeing and weaving; we were blessed by Elders and Grandmothers; we learned to care for the land and animals that sustained us.

This summer as we travelled through Montana I was reminded of the beautifully patterned tipis of my childhood.  They were the places of quiet, of rest, of joy, of laughter, of simplicity and of community.  We were blessed with prayer during smudging ceremony:

'When the smoke clears I will only see the beauty of you.
When the smoke clears I will only hear the beauty of you.
When the smoke clears I will only speak the beauty of you.'

And so, to honour the beautiful history of this place, I have created a series of tipis that represent this sacred space to me.  In order to share this blessing, I am placing a tipi a day in my etsy shop at an introductory rate for the next few weeks.  I hope they bring you as much joy as they do me.