‘They’re like my kids’: Mi’kmaw elder stitching together high school memories
Mi’kmaw Elder Nancy (Nano) Bernard has become an integral part of the history of Wagmatcook First Nation through her beautiful quilts. Each year, at the graduation ceremony of Wagmatcookewey School, a selection of Bernard’s quilts are proudly displayed, a tradition that has spanned over 30 years in the Cape Breton community.
The quilts feature large squares adorned with the faces of the community’s high school graduates, skillfully sewn onto eight-pointed stars. Over the years, Bernard has created more than 200 squares, symbolizing the number of graduates from the community during that time. The quilts serve as a visual representation of the hard work and accomplishments of Wagmatcook’s graduates, and a reminder of the passage of time as former graduates return with their own families to view the quilts.
Bernard, now 82, embarked on this project in 1992 with just one graduate’s picture to transfer onto fabric. She meticulously sews each patch by hand, incorporating the traditional medicine wheel colors of black, white, red, and yellow into her designs. Each square takes an hour to complete, showcasing Bernard’s dedication to honoring the community’s graduates.
Kelly Marshall, a 1996 graduate featured on one of the quilts, reflects on the significance of the tradition, noting how the quilts serve as a timeline of the community’s educational achievements. Brittany Fitzgerald, a literacy teacher at the school, looks forward to the day when her children’s pictures will join the ranks of the graduates on Bernard’s quilts.
The number of patches added to the quilts each year corresponds to the number of graduates in the community, with new quilts started when space runs out. Tracy MacNeil, an English teacher at Wagmatcookewey, praises Bernard not only for her quilting skills but also for her role as the school’s elder and guidance counselor, providing support and guidance to students.
Bernard’s quiet humility and dedication shine through in her work, bringing a sense of calm and peacefulness to the school community. She is known for working late into the night to complete her quilts on time, a labor of love that is appreciated by generations of graduates who come to view her creations.
As Bernard watches the graduates return year after year to see her quilts, she feels a sense of pride and connection to each one. Whether they have become parents, grandparents, or fishermen, she sees them all as her children, a testament to her enduring love and support for the community of Wagmatcook First Nation.
