Stitching the Stars - Transcript

The sunset transforms the sky into a beautiful starry night. For most Native Americans the starry sky holds great meaning. It's where life begins and where life ends.

[Alana Smith - Shoshone-Paiute] "People came through the Milky Way. We were brought into this universe into this world and we were brought to this Earth by through a star through the Milky Way. And when it was time to go back to the heavens you would go 30 days give or take before your birthday or you would go after your birthday. Every time your birthday comes around that galaxy opens up."

They call it the pathway of departed Souls. Some tribes believe that the great Spirit gave stars the power to watch over mortals on Earth and to convey to them spiritual blessings. The star pattern is the focus of most native american quilts.

[Alana Smith] "And now a day the star quilts are given as an honor robe whether it be graduation whether it be marriage."

Alana is part of the younger generation of quilters. These quilters come from many tribes -- Winnebago, Sioux, Shoshone-Paiute, and they take great pride at continuing the heritage of their ancestors.

And then from here we would make two more diamonds.

These women have made over 1,000 quilts. Surprisingly, not one of the quilts is still in their possession. Every quilt has been given to someone of honor.

[Alana Smith] "She had asked me to make this for St. Augustine for Easter. And she wanted to have three hills and three crosses. Each color represents the hill for each of the crosses. She wanted fire colors to represent fire and then these colors right here represent the Earth. This kind of represents the universe because if you look at it it's stars but it's as if you were laying on the ground looking at the sky. It kind of gives it a floaty look."

[Alana Smith] "The points symbolize the different directions that the Spirits come to Earth. The Native Americans believe that your never alone, that the Spirits of the ancestors who have gone on before you stay to support you and help you throughout your life. So then when you pass on to that next life you just come back to support someone else."

Kelly has received many star quilts throughout the years. She received this one at her naming ceremony -- a Sioux tradition.

[Kelly Baugartner - Sioux] "When I was growing up I was told that everybody got a star quilt representing the circle of life. And you get one when your born and then you often times get one for graduation or any big step in your life. And you definitely get one when you get married. Family it's just central to your entire life. You never leave behind your family you grow and you all take care of each other."

You don't leave a family member behind even after death.

[Alana Smith] "There was a time when I was really sick. I became really sick and I had a spiritual leader from back home come and pray for me. And he told me that I was not alone that I had someone with me at all times and I'm assuming that was probably my grandmothers that passed on. And I believe that she is with me when I sew. I was always told that we were only granted this lifetime as a loan -- on a lease basis."

In the past Buffalo robes were given as a gift of honor -- why have star quilts replaced that honor?

[Alana Smith] "Because there's no more buffalos -- you guys killed 'em all! (Laugh)"