Inno’maats’kahtaahksin is a Blackfoot phrase meaning to pass something down through generations. For my project I wanted to create a visual representation of the transference of traditional knowledge in my family. Sewing has always been a favourite pastime of mine. I was taught to sew by my mother when I was quite young. Some of my favourite childhood memories were watching my grandmother sew on her old treadle Singer sewing machine and being taught to sew by my mother.
Inno’maats’kahtaahkssin
Sioux K. Crop Eared Wolf
Cotton, Poly-cotton fabric
2020
I created nine miniature dresses representing five generations of women in my family using a pattern that my great-great grandmother, Sakoi’sinopakii, created. This pattern was passed down to my grandmother, Sakohtamahka, then to my mother, Astakata, and to me and my sisters who will then pass it down to their daughters and my nieces once they’re old enough to sew. My great-grandmother created the dress pattern during the early 1900’s. These simple cotton dresses are typically worn for ceremonies such as the Sundance. During the springtime, my mother and I get together to sew new dresses for the upcoming Sundance. While sewing we have tea, share stories and just enjoy our time together. I feel a strong connection to my mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother when I sew. My mother helped with this project by sharing her skills and knowledge in creating the dresses and by sharing the history behind it. It’s not only the technical skills that are taught and passed down that are important, it’s also the stories, teachings and time shared during these sewing sessions that are cherished and just as valuable.
I would have liked to see my project displayed in a gallery setting, but the strange times we currently find ourselves in prevent that. I initially wanted to create a video for my project, but I decided that photography is just as impactful.
About Sioux K. Crop Eared Wolf
Lethbridge-based artist Sioux K. Crop Eared Wolf was born in Edmonton, Alberta and raised on the Blood Reserve. Her focus is on film and animation as she loves creating a narrative for telling stories that might not otherwise be told. Her Blackfoot culture is a huge influence on her work. She focuses on narratives from an Indigenous woman’s perspective, which she believes is very important. She is an avid traveler and enjoys meeting new people from different cultures and backgrounds. She believes that traveling broadens her world view and gives her a better standing of humanity as a whole.
In 2018, Sioux’s short animation, Our Sister’s Voices, was chosen as for the People’s Choice Award at the LAMPS (Lethbridge Alberta Motion Picture Showcase) animation festival. The work she did in a collaborative class film project, Perfect, was also recognized. She is involved in the local film community and is a member of LIFS (Lethbridge Independent Film Society). She had multiple projects selected for the University of Lethbridge New Media online showcase during Summer and Winter of 2018. Sioux is currently completing her 4th year of a New Media Degree at the University of Lethbridge.