Sisters in Strength

Installation by Women participating in the 1st Annual Sister in Strength Wellness Retreat

This heart puzzle collage was made by women participating in the 1st Annual Sister in Strength Wellness Retreat held in October 2017 at Sta'sailes Healing Lodge. Each woman was given a puzzle piece to create a memorial to their loved one with various art supplies. As they put their pieces together, they realized that they formed two tear drops in the shape of a heart. This collage represents the broken hearts of MMIWG families and how when they come together and express their sorrows as a group, they build strength. The dyed wool piece was used in a ceremony where the participants all sat in a circle, held their wool pieces and then channeled their energy and emotions into the Heart Puzzle Collage. It was a healing moment for all. At the end of the Retreat, one of the participants took their piece home to express how family members of MMIWG live the rest of their lives with a piece missing from their own heart.