Mazaska Moves Beadwork

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I just want to share a story before we end our Orange shirt day.

A few years ago I was sitting at my mom's dinner table with my parents. Leski Earl Bull Head, Jerome Kills Small and leski Joe Marshall III.

We were all laughing and joking. And then Earl told a story from boarding school, I don't remember which school he was at, or if it was his story or a relatives story.

He said it was winter and snowing really hard and the nuns and the priests were making all the kids march around the property. There was a whole long line of kids some were just babies. Marching in the snow. Their trail went over a small bridge that was over a river that went into a lake. They weren't allowed to cry or say anything or the nuns would make them march longer. He said this one pass over the bridge a younger boy fell on to the ice, the boys older brother went after the one that fell.....as older one reached the younger one, the ice broke and they both went in! The nuns and the priests yelled no one was allowed to move or they'd get beaten. All the children had to helplessly watch the boys scream for help. And no one could move. They watched them go under the ice, and the screams stopped. The nuns and priest made them continue to march back to the school.
In the spring school workers removed the bodies and threw them in a hole, and buried them. No funeral, no ceremony. Just buried them.

Leski couldn't remember their names. He was sad when he realized this. We all sat in silence after his story, like we were all saying silent prayers for the boys, and their spirits, and their families.

I cry everytime I remember that story. Every time I retell it. Because those boys mattered. Those boys were someone's beloved and much cherished children. They were stolen. They never made it home. The cruelty our children endured is still felt today, the trauma those other children had from watching the boys slowly die.

We will never forget or just get over it. Not until all our children are identified and brought home.

No school should have a graveyard.

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Someday, I will learn to quill!

Čhaŋpȟásapa-Wí - 🌱 Chokecherries turn black moon 🌙 (July)

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Calling native designers, models, and vendors!!!

My first dentillium piece! These are for me until I get 'all good' at it. 11" earrings gets me into the cool aunties club yeah? Or how bout 12" with the beaded posties?🤓

For my Unci on her 89th birthday.💙

A medallion for my little brother. 40hrs of beading. 💙

Made some keychain variations of the Super Bowl LVIII Champions Kansas City Chiefs. Request your team today!!!

Pe**te stitch necklace with tradish colors. 20hrs to finish.

Luxe citrine mirror earrings for my Auntie. Made with 24k gold and yellow luster charolette cut beads. 🌞