Kiitokiiksi mean “prairie chickens” in Blackfoot. I chose this name because in the process of making the pieces I thought about my own children. To clarify, my children are a part of the Prairie Chicken family. In the beginning stages, my idea was to imagine how my people may be perceived by non-indigenous and how we are interpreted in history. I’ve now transitioned into the concept of having each doll represent a certain era in time.
Each doll is made from a white cotton fabric similar to a thin animal hide texture, stuffed with craft filler and spiritual medicines such as sweetgrass and sage. My children and I smudge and pray with the dolls as often as we can as I’ve considered them protectors and have immense affection for them.
I’ve also added a mask to each doll to protect them while they are away from home.
The first doll (pictured left)(pictured above) represents my oldest child, Scott. Styled in a “buckskin” shirt and pants, this doll shows an 1800’s design with its top knot hair style and plain work shirt. I used this look to symbolize how my people were seen in the beginning of settler contact.