Burlington Tooshkenig
Burl describes himself as an evolving creative manifesting visual arts that combine the timeless traditions of his people together with modern materials and technologies resulting in truly unique expressions.
Born to Anishinaabeg parent, he was immersed in creativity from childhood. His early memories include sitting on a little stool next to Nokomis (grandmother) watching her sew sweetgrass baskets. She would take him out into the tall grasses next to her house and show him what each plant was and what it was used for. Sweetgrass was one of those plants.
At that time each family had their own cultural keepers, many of which were basket makers. It was never a thought that one day these traditions would one day become endangered.
Decades later there are only a few sweetgrass basket makers. Burl journeys to his home community of Bkejwanong (Walpole Island) and hosts workshops as well as other First Nations in the area.
Burl’s other notable skill is porcupine quillwork. As a self taught quill artist he was able to be boundless in his creations, depicting works of nature as well as traditional patterns of the Anishnaabeg. His works also include beadwork, black ash basketry, birchbark basketry, painting, jewelry among other art forms. He is currently learning how to brain tan hides and making beaded mukluks.
He has been living in Northern Ontario but plans to move back to the east coast with his wife and two children.
Kiiwednang
This little sweetgrass basket is called ‘Kiiwednang’ which roughly translates to ‘in the North’. My stay in the North has been well rounded like the basket. While here I was able to harvest a black ash tree which have been decimated by the emerald ash borer down in southern Ontario. The circle of ash curls on the basket are red which represents the life that flows through my blood. Ash basketry in my home community is now endangered as well. Porcupines are no longer common in Bkejwanong due to loss of habitat. Bkejwanong is a paradise made up of a five island delta in the north side of Lake St. Clair. Around it the trees have been clearcut for human development. The Star represents the North Star which gives direction. The colours of the star are colours of fire. I am of Potawatomi decent and Potawatomi means Keepers of the Fire.
I have collected black ash seeds to gift to my home community. It’s my hope that with the help of modern research and technologies, they can be used to restore the mighty black ash trees that once survived in the swampy woodlands of my home territory. I have taught people how to grow sweetgrass and I also hope to pass these restorative practices to my relatives on Walpole. I have heard they exist on the Island but have yet to see porcupines in the forests.
Made from polyester thread, sweetgrass, black ash, birch bark, porcupine quills and spruce root, this little basket has a new rounded design to the bowl of the basket.