Passing on Traditional Knowledge Through Porcupine Quill Decoration

Christine Toulouse’s journey into the traditional art of porcupine quill decoration goes beyond just creating art. It’s a story of family heritage and healing, rooted in the teachings passed down from her mother and grandmother in the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation in North Ontario.

As a resident of Ottawa, Toulouse made a conscious decision in 2016 to return to her native community after her mother’s colon cancer diagnosis. It was during this time of caring for her mother that she sought solace and connection through the intricate craft of weaving porcupine quills through birch bark.

Porcupine quill decoration, an art form passed down through generations, holds a significant cultural value for Indigenous communities. Naomi Recollet, an archivist at the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, emphasizes the collective efforts involved in gathering materials like birch bark and quills to create these intricate designs.

Throughout the summer, Toulouse learned the art of dyeing quills, harvesting bark, and selling her creations. However, a hiatus of six years followed as she navigated her mother’s cancer treatments and eventual passing in the fall of 2019.

It was in this period of grief that Toulouse rediscovered her quill decoration materials, turning grief into art. What began as a healing process evolved into a means of livelihood, with Toulouse now selling her works at events and teaching the craft to Indigenous youth with support from the Council of Ontario Arts.

Following the recent passing of her grandmother Ida, Toulouse now sees herself as a custodian of this traditional knowledge. She believes the art was entrusted to her to pass on, echoing the legacy of her family and community.

With the guidance of her late grandmother’s teachings and the support of organizations like CBC through journalist Wafa El-Rayes, Toulouse continues to honor the tradition of porcupine quill decoration, ensuring its preservation and transmission to future generations.