Indigenous Textiles As A Holistic Practice

Letting Go By Binding Cloth Bundles
Indigenous Textiles As A Holistic Practice

I’m at a crossroads as a “Motherless Child.” Two years after my momma’s death, I still have her house and mine both full of a “mountain of things.” My inability to bring order to clutter has broken and humbled me. But, for studying the greatest letter ever written – Paul’s letter to the Romans – I pray for preserving steadfast faith and unshakable hope. I hold on to my prayer with each precious breath I breathe in thanksgiving to Creator, total submission to Jesus as Savior as directed by the Holy Spirit.

I was born to The Blues as was my mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother. But, The Blues is what enabled us to hold onto creative hands Algonquin culture in Eastern and Coastal North Carolina. We were cloistered women who keep our hands busy, minds focused, mouths shut and concentrated on making something out of nothing. I grew up in a Moon Lodge with many mothers, each of whom blessed me with their wisdom.

Now I need the lessons, the strength, the endurance, the ability to heal my brokenness through art. Art Heals! When large numbers of people stop being able to create something out of nothing, they lose their culture. As culture fades, so does health, mindfulness, prosperity, hope and future expectations. I need to transform my mind through my hands and let go of the pain of grief by getting out my own way and allowing the Holy Spirit space to redesign my heart.

I’m practicing letting go of fear and insecurity by binding cloth bundles while perfecting the “Little Canoe” Algonquin Resist Technique in thanks that I witness this new day saying, “Every time I turn around God is blessing me!”