Great to catch up with Paul and Cathy Ornelia. Cathy is from the Akimel O’odham (Pima Nation) and a member of the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona. She is an amazing artist who amongst other mediums uses gourds to convey stories and her creativity.
Jim Bailey, a friend who has much understanding about labyrinth’s was encouraged by this gourd and gave some explanation to the symbolism. He writes, “The Man “U’ki’ut’l” in this maze labyrinth. Life and Choice, depicted in this common symbol. Originally created as an motif of an emergence story by the Tohono o’odham or Papago Indians of the Central Valley, Arizona. It has been adopted by others due to its symbolism of life’s cycles and eternal motion and also of the choices we are confronted with. The right choices lead us to a point of harmony with all things, no matter how hard or long the road taken.”
