Winning doll depicts Native grandmother

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Reading about a Native doll contest in the Windspeaker sparked local resident Bertha Bird to put her sewing skills and imagination to work.

The 47 year old sewing instructor entered her granny doll and won first place honors recently in The Indian Arts and Crafts Society's Native doll contest.

Bird's award was a cash prize of $1,000.

"The doll was conceived to remind the viewer to care and respect the Elders," said Bird.

Attention to detail and the endearing face determined the doll's first place finish.

When she first decided to enter the doll competition, Bird originally intended to make a dill with Native attire.

But, after some thought, she decided to make a granny doll, representing the Native granny today.

All the other doll entrees in the competition were dressed in Native attire.

Using flesh colored spandex material for the body, she embroidered the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Having taken a makeup artistry course, Bird was able to locate the perfect material for her doll's hair, spun fibre. Braiding the hair, she tied back a black silk kerchief over the doll's head, in the

same manner most elderly Native women do today.

The material picked for the dress and apron reflects the patterns and material of yesterdays. The bloomers, made from flour sack material replicates that kind of dress for Native women then.

The moccasins were fashioned with porcupine quill design.

In essence, the granny doll, was made out of respect for grandmothers.

The winning doll will be on exhibit at the Beaver House Gallery until October 6, along with the other prize-winners.