ne je’stekjde Dakj
Mennonites and Amish have long been known
for their excellent quilting skills. In
the North American West, they have found themselves to be in good company –
especially on the Fort Peck Reservation, home also to several Mennonite communities
and nearby Hutterite Colonies.
I have been in a special position to
appreciate this as the grandson of the perpetual head of the EMB Ladies’ AID
quilt committee and the son of a mother who herself learned to quilt from Native
American quilters at the school in which she taught. I deeply treasure both my Schmekfest Quilt
and my two star quilts – one made by my mother and one given to me upon
graduation by her best friend.
