Spirituality

Lowe (2002) describes Indigenous peoples’ worldviews as being connected to their spirituality. This goes beyond religion and is comprehensive involving all of nature (e.g., rain, sky, moon, water, earth) as well as the four-legged and two-legged people. This is a wholistic view that ties everything together. Ms. Worthington’s quill box demonstrates this wholistic view that incorporates several natural elements (sky, water, rainbow, sun) which are connected and tied to Native American spirituality. Further, some of the materials used in construction of the quill box has spiritual significance. For example, the sweetgrass that surrounds the bottom rim of the quill box top is one of the four sacred medicines recognized in many Indigenous communities across North America. This medicine is known as wiigaashk in Anishinabemowin which is used in ceremonies for medicinal and cleansing purposes (Cariou, 2018). And the smudging of sweetgrass has been used in preparation for certain women ceremonies (Marilyn, 1996). The following link provides educational information pertaining to smudging sweetgrass in Anishinaabe cultures. In this manner the rainbow quill box is anchored within a spiritual paradigm.