Colors
The colors that fill the flowers are an important part of the quill baskets significance. Delia Bebonang may have used these colors with reference to Anishinaabe beliefs understood through the Four Sacred Cardinal Directions and the Seven Sacred Directions. Judy Pamp, a member of the Ziibiwing Anishnabec culture center, provided a list of identities per the colors on the flowers. The blue petals represent the sky realm in which the creator, Father Sky and flying creatures live. In the center of the blue petals is yellow, also the color for Mishomis Giize (Grandfather Sun). The flowers are supported by green stems, also more broadly representing Skkaakaamiwe (Mother Earth). The white background may also be the other grandparent,. Nookomis (Grandmother Moon). Putting the colors in the context of what they mean or symbolize transforms the image of the flowers to a picture of spirits holding the world together.
Elder Lillian Pitawanakwat, who was also an Anishnabec woman from the same region as Delia, and was well-known for teaching about the significance of the colors, speaks in particular about those in the Medicine Wheel, all which are represented in the flowers on this item.
From this small application of knowledge shared by Elder Lillian and Judy Pamp, it is possible to see how the maker may reference more subtly her cultural beliefs by using creative designs and using traditional ones to decorate the baskets.