Some Pacific Northwest Native American women identify three primary stages in life: birth, finding a guardian spirit, and death. The tradition of finding one’s spirit is a rite that forms a common bond within the community, while simultaneously defining an individual’s personal identity.
Maíz depicts an indigenous woman who believes that her spirit guide is the Goddess of Maize. She wears symbols on her clothing - water, wind, and sun. These are elements that produce maize, a sacred food for her people. She is using a metate to grind and process the grain for tortillas. She carries her baby with her while she works, wrapped up in a rebozo. It’s important to have an understanding of the food we eat, especially when we have children.
