Page 88 - Restorative Journey: Indigenous Educational Wellness

Voice Perspective
I use the cornhusk to make traditional faceless cornhusk dolls. I create dioramas with the dolls to represent stories and teachings. The husk that protects the
seed now protects the stories and teachings. These dolls are always faceless. They remind us of humility from this traditional story:
A beautiful cornhusk doll was sent to entertain the children when their parents had to work. She would travel from village to village to carry out her duties. The children loved her, and she loved the children. People from the villages would say that she was very beautiful. She became curious, and one day while she was travelling between villages, she sat by the water to see exactly what everyone was talking about.
“WOW!”
She couldn‘t believe her eyes. She was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen!
She tried to return to her work but was so distracted that she soon spent more time admiring her reflection than fulfilling her duties. The adults become frustrated and found other arrangements for their children. The beautiful doll was sternly reminded that she had an important job, but she neglected it. She would be given a new job. Her face was removed as a reminder that fulfilling her duties is more important than how she looks. This was done more as medicine for the people than as a punishment for the
Elizabeth Doxtater
doll. Although the children could still play with her, she would now remind everyone that true beauty is found in fulfilling one’s responsibilities and sharing the gifts they were given. To this day, she is still admired for her beauty even though she has no face.
Figure 56: No Face by Elizabeth Doxtater
80 Commemoration • Education • Healing/Wellness