Thank you to the IHM Sisters of Monroe Michigan (Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe, MI), for the use of their video of “The Universe Canticle - Kopanang Tapestries” (you can make video full size once open) which in textile art tell the story of creation and evolution inspired by the writings of Thomas Berry, Brian Swimme, South African folklore, and the Bible. Profound thanks to the creators of the Universe Canticle, women of the multicultural Kopanang Community in South Africa who were living not only in deep poverty but with HIV/Aids or with close relatives who were HIV-positive or who had died from AIDS at the time of the Canticle's creation in the early 2000s.
Our gratitude also goes to Sister Sheila Flynn, co-founder of the Kopanang Community Trust who guided the creation of the Canticle as a means of bringing women together while sharing their story with the world. Special thanks to Karla Hostetler, Director at Mariposa Museum and World Culture Center, NH, (https://www.mariposamuseum.org/) who gave SSND permission to share the IHM video in lieu of a physical exhibit during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Mariposa Museum has been caretaker of the Kopanang Universe Canticle since 2012.
The women of the Kopanang Community Trust continue to make and sell embroidered works. These works can be found and ordered via their website: www.kopanang.africa
