Star blankets symbol of honour, healing

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This article was published 07/10/2021 (1451 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BIRDTAIL SIOUX FIRST NATION — Drawing on almost 25 years of sewing experience, Sandy Bunn has created a collection of star blankets to honour Birdtail Sioux First Nation residential school survivors.

Bunn was one of the creators of 17 orange star blankets presented as gifts to residential school survivors at the official opening of The Cankaga Otina Wicozani Magah (Birdtail Sioux Healing Garden) on Sept. 23. Her four daughters and sister Tina Bunn also helped quilt the blankets.

She added the day was especially meaningful because her mother, Beverly Bunn, a residential school survivor, was one of the nation’s members to receive a blanket.

“I know how deep those wounds are. I’ve done a lot of healing myself over my lifetime,” Bunn said. “It’s almost like a full circle. Even for my mother to be honoured like that. I have given her star blankets, but to be honoured from a community for residential schools, that was full circle for her.”

Bunn was asked to create the blankets for residential school survivors based on her experience in the art form spanning more than 24 years.

Bunn specifically chose orange for the main colour of the blankets because of its ability to bathe those wrapped in the blanket with healing.

Survivors can cover themselves with orange when they are feeling overwhelmed by past traumas and it can help with finding peace. At the same time, the colour represents and commemorates residential school survivors.

Red was included on the back of the blankets in honour of murdered and missing people, while also representing identity. The colour was key to include as a symbol of identity because children who were forced to attend residential schools experienced a loss of connection with who they are and their communities.

“It represents who you are,” Bunn said. “I used these colours for healing and for people to invoke parts of themselves, for protection and guidance back to their truth. Also, to remind them of who we are and where we come from — the stars.”

The blankets featured three designs: one with the morning star to symbolize the power of prayers, one with polka dots symbolizing protection, and another with a design symbolizing guidance.

“Everybody handles their grief differently. Everyone handles their traumas differently. I just thought the blankets will find who needs what,” Bunn said. “They find their way to who needs them.”

The star blankets are a symbol of community connection and mark deep bonds of honour in Indigenous communities. Bunn said the blankets remind people where they come from and where they will return to when this life comes to an end.

Bunn said she had always been interested in star blankets and the meaningful place they held as symbolic gifts honouring individuals. She wanted to help create the blankets given to people.

“It always piqued my interest when I was younger because to me, star blankets, it was such an honour to receive one,” Bunn said. “They’re the modern-day buffalo robe.”

She learned to create star blankets in phases, slowly building up her skills. At first, she learned how to put two diamonds together, then eventually she learned how to create the entire star.

It took a year to learn how to make a blanket properly and since then, she has continued to grow her skills with each blanket she creates.

Bunn hand-stitched her first blanket. It was a challenging experience but served to help drive hope the idea of what it takes to create a blanket. She continues to hand-quilt all her blankets.

It took time to refine her craft, Bunn said, and she spent many years perfecting which colours go together and refining her stitches and placement of fabric.

“Gradually, I became really good at it,” Bunn said. “Now it’s just second nature.”

She added before she creates a blanket, she always asks who it is for and why it is being given, as it influences the colour and style she chooses.

In the past, Indigenous people gave guests one of three things when people came to visit — water, food or shelter.

Long ago, star blankets did not exist, she said, but buffalo robes served as blankets. In a snowstorm, a buffalo robe could literally save your life when stuck outside providing protection and warmth.

The star blanket carries on this tradition, Bunn said.

She added the star blankets are shared at different stages of a person’s life, different accomplishments adding to their significance. Bunn creates them for babies, weddings, graduations and other important milestones.

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