JULIA ROSE SUTHERLAND 

A’su’n (Aa-suun) 2019

"Blanket" Porcupine quills and felt.

Recontextualizing and exploring the Hudson Bay Blanket identity with the addition of quillwork embroidery (Traditionally used by Mi'kmaq peoples.)The Hudson Bay Blanket is a Canadian staple, well known for its history in the trade. It played the spread of smallpox and the construction of the Canadian colonial identity.


This work is about reclaiming, researching material processes, and decolonization. This work progressed into the Tryptic series of quill worked blankets, which featured the Mi'Kmaq flag, the 8-pointed star, and the work ANGO'TG (To care for).


In this series, I highlight the eight-pointed star, an important symbol to the Mi'kmaq people, which centers on the earth, human and celestial. While also addressing the Hudson Bay Pinstriped blanket and the use of
appropriative colours inspired by the eight-pointed star and the blanket on the right showcasing the Mi'kmaq flag after contact with colonization then had adopted the Christain religion to survive.