KUNOMOKST
by Salmonberry School’s Elementary Students
Salmonberry Elementary students in grades 1-4, recently completed designing and sewing this original “Button Blanket,” entitled “Kunomokst” inspired by the traditional ceremonial blankets of the First Peoples of the Northwest Coast. The colors, and certain forms are based on traditional designs, which the class studied. The title Kunomokst, translates to “together” in the Chinook Jargon – the common trading language of the Northwest in the 19th century.
The creation of this blanket represents the culmination of a six-month long integrated thematic study that has included the natural history of the Salish Sea as well as the First Peoples’ history and culture from this region. The integrated thematic approach brings students into deep subject-centered study, which unifies the various disciplines and otherwise isolated subject areas and skills that the students learn in school.
The blanket itself was the product of a six-week process, guided by Salmonberry’s art teacher, Andrea Cohen. The students selected animals indigenous to the Northwest. They sketched these animals, and then learned about the difference between drawing and design. They each designed a 12×12 inch square featuring a graphic depiction of their animal. They traced their paper designs onto red felt and then cut out the images and overlaid the red felt onto a black felt background. They each sewed buttons on their squares, with an eye to enhancing the visual impact of the animal figures. Finally, the squares were joined together, and borders were added. In all, 1,881 buttons adorn the quilt, each one sewn on to the surface by the skillful hands of these 6-10 yr old students.
The word, Kunomokst, or Together, was chosen by the class as it represents the need for beings who share a physical environment to live harmoniously together. Simultaneously, Kunomokst, expresses the process of the quilt-making project itself, as the work of these 16 young individuals came together to create this beautiful whole. Finally, Kunomokst represents the Salmonberry School’s emphasis on learning community, and the mutuality and reciprocity inherent in the learning process.
The blanket is now on display at the Orcas Public Library in the meeting room. Please visit!
Sewing on the final button!
Presentation at the Library
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