Melissa Peter-Paul

Melissa Peter-Paul is a Mi'kmaw artist from Abegweit First Nation,[1][2] Epekwitk/Prince Edward Island. Her work is primarily Mi'kmaq quillwork, and utilizes porcupine quills, along with birch bark, sweet grass, and spruce root.[2][3][4] She has won multiple awards for her work, which has been featured in group exhibitions in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Maine, as well as publications.[1][5][6] In addition to her quillwork, Peter-Paul has designed a crosswalk in Charlottetown.[3] In 2019, the city was also the location of her first solo exhibition.[4]

Peter-Paul lives on Epekwitk, with her two sons.[1][4]

Background

Quillwork is a traditional Mi'kmaq craft, but is no longer commonly practised.[4][7] Peter-Paul's great-great-grandmother was a quiller, and examples of her work can be found in the Nova Scotia Archives.[4] Peter-Paul was first introduced to the craft by her cousin.[4] Additionally, her parents help her harvest ingredients for her work.[2][6]

Peter-Paul considers her work a revival of the art form, as well as carrying on her family tradition.[4][2] She has stated, "The ancestors' presence when I do quillwork is so strong and I really feed off of it",[4] as well as that it is "integral" to her identity as a Mi'kmaw person.[4] Her work is grounded in nature, and she has spoken about the connection between the natural work, her work, and her heritage: "“When I’m on the land, I am reminded that my family’s ancestors also walked in these woods, and I am following their path.”[8] She is a founding member of The Quill Sisters, "a community of skilled quill workers on Epekwitk that seeks to revitalize the traditional art form through collaborative projects".[6]

Awards & Recognition

  • In 2022, quill work by Peter-Paul was featured on library cards by the P.E.I. Public Library Service.[9]
  • Atlantic Indigenous Artist Award, 2023[2][5]
  • The Leo Chevierie Cultural Connector of the Year Award, 2023[5][10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Peter-Paul, Melissa (October 31, 2023). "Meet Melissa Peter-Paul: Mi'kmaw quill artist from Abegweit First Nation, P.E.I." CBC News.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 MacAulay, Charlotte (2024-03-07). "Mi'kmaw artist proud to follow in the footsteps of her great grandmothers". peicanada.com. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  3. 1 2 MacLeod, Nicola (September 4, 2021). "Meet the Mi'kmaw artist revamping Charlottetown intersection where a bronze John A. Macdonald once sat". CBC News. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Perley, Logan (January 20, 2020). "P.E.I. quill artist scans roadsides for the remains that let her work". CBC News. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 Peter-Paul, Melissa. "Melissa Peter-Paul". Melissa Peter-Paul. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 "Melissa Peter-Paul Art". Indigenous PEI. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
  7. ↑ "Quillwork". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  8. ↑ Bull, Julie (June 1, 2026). "Land and art: Profile: Melissa Peter-Paul". The Buzz.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ↑ "New designs for P.E.I library cards feature Island artists". CBC News. December 18, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  10. ↑ "PEI Arts Awards: Province recognizes Island arts and cultural community". innovationPEI. November 23, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
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