Inuvik (Mar 03/06) - A monumental collaborative artwork visited Inuvik this week and included two quilt blocks created by Northern aboriginal artists, Agnes Kuptana and Olive Itsi.

Called the Quilt of Belonging, the 120 foot long super tapestry contains 263 quilt blocks, one for each ethnic group present in Canada.

It was born from Ontario painter Esther Bryan's imagination following a 1994 trip to her father's homeland of Slovakia. There she realized the inter-connectedness of people around the world through their respective artistic cultural heritages.

Taking six years to create, the panels are in no particular order apart from aboriginal contributions, which make up the bottom and sides of the giant quilt.

"The aboriginal parts had to be on the bottom and sides because these elements form the foundation of the quilt and symbolize the first people's foundation of Canada," explained Marilyn Vance, who is travelling with the quilt. She sewed the entire top border for it as well.

"It's beautiful. There are so many things I like about it," said Jeanie Lennie on Tuesday afternoon, while looking at the quilt.

Lennie, an accomplished sewer herself, says the quilt has inspired her.

"I think I could do something like this, but it's nice to see somebody else's sewing."

The quilt was on display in Inuvik until yesterday before it departed for Yellowknife.