Can't I Sew by Agnes Amos
Picture by Agnes Amos
The following story was inspired by 2500 year old bone sewing needles recovered from the Lagoon Site on Banks Island. They are kept at Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife.
Hello, my name is Fiana Styles. I’ve been sewing since I was 4 years old, I am now 19. 15 years. I make my own needles. I make them out of bird bones. So far I’ve made 6 needles in the past 4 months. I live with 9 of my family members. Angeline is 2 years old, Andrea is 6 years old, Linnette is 8 years old, my dad Vernon is 38, my mom Lorainna is 36, and oh, my brother Joel, he is 21 years old. My dogs: Butchy and Hunny. I make my ‘human’ family members clothes and my ‘dogs’ boots in case their feet get sore. I made so many clothes I can’t count. When I turn 20, in 2 days, I am FORCED to get married to a guy named Hansel Gretaen. He’s rich for seal skin and meat, every girl is ‘in love’ with him. But I don’t want to marry a rich, snotty guy who uses his seals and bear skins to get girls. Guess what? That doesn’t work on me!
Hansel’s POV: “Hey Fiana?!” “Yeah?” “I’m going hunting!” “Ok, bye!” It seems that my fiancee won’t miss me? As I finish packing up, I yell, “I love you Fiana, see you in 3 days!” “Bye.”
Fiana’s POV: “I can’t wait to see Hansel leave, I need a break from his snottiness! I just want to sew.”
I’m sewing while teaching my sister Linnette how to use a thimble. It’s kind of hard since she has NO experience with using a needle! “I’m going to sell a toy at the ‘Inuit Hall.’” “Sell it for 3 pieces of bear meat!” My mom yells.
When I get home, I start sewing a pair of mitts for my baby sister Angeline. I enjoy sewing for people. I haven’t sewed anything for Hansel, and I never will!
Hello, my name is Fiana Styles. I’ve been sewing since I was 4 years old, I am now 19. 15 years. I make my own needles. I make them out of bird bones. So far I’ve made 6 needles in the past 4 months. I live with 9 of my family members. Angeline is 2 years old, Andrea is 6 years old, Linnette is 8 years old, my dad Vernon is 38, my mom Lorainna is 36, and oh, my brother Joel, he is 21 years old. My dogs: Butchy and Hunny. I make my ‘human’ family members clothes and my ‘dogs’ boots in case their feet get sore. I made so many clothes I can’t count. When I turn 20, in 2 days, I am FORCED to get married to a guy named Hansel Gretaen. He’s rich for seal skin and meat, every girl is ‘in love’ with him. But I don’t want to marry a rich, snotty guy who uses his seals and bear skins to get girls. Guess what? That doesn’t work on me!
Hansel’s POV: “Hey Fiana?!” “Yeah?” “I’m going hunting!” “Ok, bye!” It seems that my fiancee won’t miss me? As I finish packing up, I yell, “I love you Fiana, see you in 3 days!” “Bye.”
Fiana’s POV: “I can’t wait to see Hansel leave, I need a break from his snottiness! I just want to sew.”
I’m sewing while teaching my sister Linnette how to use a thimble. It’s kind of hard since she has NO experience with using a needle! “I’m going to sell a toy at the ‘Inuit Hall.’” “Sell it for 3 pieces of bear meat!” My mom yells.
When I get home, I start sewing a pair of mitts for my baby sister Angeline. I enjoy sewing for people. I haven’t sewed anything for Hansel, and I never will!