Lakota Star Quilt Project

 “Owinja means "quilt" in the Lakota dialect. In the past century, Lakota women have raised their star quilts to an art form much in demand. 

The majority of Lakota star quilts are dominated by a single star; however, multiple and broken star patterns are not uncommon. The single star is made of small diamond-shaped patches pieced together in eight sections. When these sections are joined together, the eight-sided star is formed.

The morning star is an important symbol in Lakota ceremonies. It represents the direction from which spirits travel to earth and is a link between the living and the dead (in extension), thus symbolizing immortality. At funerals, the quilt is draped behind the casket, replacing the traditional red-painted buffalo hide.

Today, star quilts are one of the most valued gifts of the Sioux people, often made for "give-away" events such as memorial feasts, celebrations, naming ceremonies and marriages. For the newly married couple, the star quilt is considered an essential gift, bestowing upon them recognition and respect.”[1]  

     
                                                                 Kathleen Kesner, MO       Winona Washburn, SD    Toni Buffalo, SD

The Lakota Star Quilt Cooperative Project
is led by Missouri resident Kathleen Kesner, who is partnering with Lakota leaders on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, Winona Washburn & Toni Buffalo. 

Kathleen has begun collecting quilting supplies to stock the future Star Quilt Cooperative Store and, to date, has collected over 3500 yards of fabric, along with batting and other quilting supplies,  thread, needles,  cutting mats, rotary cutters, rotary blades, safety pins, quilters pins and quilting shears.  In addition, The Lakota Star Quilt Cooperative Project has received a cash donation to purchase a quilting machine for use by the Lakota women on Cheyenne River once the store has been built.   

In August of 2005, Kathleen and her husband, Ray, with a group of Warm Embrace supporters, delivered 1/3 of the fabric to Cheyenne River . The group participated in a rummage sale in Eagle Butte, SD with the assistance of Toni & Byron Buffalo, to help raise funds to build the building.  The Lakota residents that attended were very excited about the fabric, and the future plans for the Star Quilt/Craft Cooperative.   Kathleen and Warm Embrace, hope to provide these quilting supplies to other reservations in South Dakota in the future as well.  Kathleen is continuing her quest for these supplies and is asking for the following donations:  

The Following Donations are Nee ded:

           Fabric (New or Recycled from your fabric collection)  

             Thread, Needles, Scissors/Quilting Shears           

      Cutting Mats, Rotary Cutters, Rotary Blades, Safety Pins, Quilters Pins  

         Sewing Machines (Good Condition)

Please mail items to:

The Lakota Star Quilt Cooperative Project
c/o:  Kathleen Kesner
436 E. Kansas 
Liberty , MO. 64068
(816)792-5532
rkesner@swbell.net

If you would like to donate funds to help with the building of the store, please contact Dana Thompson at (816)792-8617 or ThompsonDa@umkc.edu.  We have a goal of $150,000.  Blessings!