Christiana Morris | |
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 | |
| Born | Mali Christianne Paul Mollise ca. 1804 Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Died | ca. 1886 Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Known for | Quillwork |
| Spouse | Tom Mollise |
Christiana Morris (c. 1804–1886) was aMi'kmaq crafts person, known for her skill at porcupinequillwork, as well as her respected position in 19th centuryHalifax, Nova Scotia.[1]
Christiana Morris was the anglicized name forMali Christianne Paul Mollise.[2] She was born ca. 1804 in theStewiacke area ofNova Scotia.[2] At a young age Morris wed Tom Mollise, a man much older than she, who died shortly after the marriage.[1] Although she never remarried, she did adopt a son, Joe, and took in an orphaned niece.[1][2]
Morris was known to two Commissioners of Indian Affairs;Joseph Howe and Col.William Chearnley.[2] Morris was granted a piece of land in Halifax after presentingQueen Victoria with a pair of quillwork moccasins.[1] Some of the several examples of anonymously crafted Mi'kmaw quillwork and clothing in the British Royal Collection are likely Morris' work.[3]
Morris exhibited in Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibitions in 1845, 1854, and 1868. She won several prizes for her work, including, in 1854, First Prize for best full-sized birch bark canoe.[1][2] Morris' large body of work is now represented by just two pieces: a wooden hooded cradle decorated with quillwork panels and a pair of snowshoes made for a mayor of Halifax.[3] The former work is housed in theDesBrisay Museum, inBridgewater, Nova Scotia and the latter is in the collection of theNova Scotia Museum.[3]
Around Halifax, Morris donned traditional native garb, including a pointed cap. Her outfits provided a showcase for her crafts work. Additionally, she was sought after as a model.[2] Morris died in Nova Scotia, the probable date of her death is 1886.[2]