rabbit packing doll - canadian society for asian...

Each pack doll wears a different coloured, hand-embroidered parka (amauti) with a baby carried in the hood. A mother rabbit carries her young just like Inuit mothers carry their babies in the warm amauti. “Inuit girls learn at a young age how to sew. This was once vital to the survival of their people and has generated items of exceptional design and craftsmanship. To introduce them to the art of stitchery, girls of around ten were taught to make dolls with removable clothes.”

Rabbit Packing Doll

Date: 2011Materials: wool felt, cotton embroideryMaker: Lydia Aggag (Inuit) (Taluq Designs Ltd.)Region: Taoyoak, Nunavut Territory

CANADA INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES APPLIED ARTS EXHIBIT ION

Ulus are used for skinning and cleaning animals, cutting a child’s hair, cutting food and, if necessary, trimming blocks of snow and ice used to craft the traditional Inuit igloo (snow house).

Inuit snow goggles are traditionally made of a piece of bone or ivory pierced with slits but in recent decades they may be made with wood. The goggles provide a safe and effective way of protecting the eyes from snow blindness and the danger of over-exposure to sun rays.


Ulu and Snowgoggles

Snow GogglesDate: 2011Materials: caribou antlers, caribou sinewMaker: Looty Nowyuk (Inuit)Region: Pangnirtung, Nunavut

UluDate: 2011Materials: wood, metalMaker: Greta Korgak (Inuit)Region: Iqaluit, Nunavit

1

2

1

2

1

2

“No two drums are the same—each has its own distinctive structure, spirit and life based on both the culture in which it was made and the hands of the one who made it. The drum is not just a music maker but a voice for the soul within the music.”


Drums and Drumsticks

Medium Coloured DrumDate: 2011Material: goat skinMaker: Lee Hillman (Ojibway) and Patrick Deranger (Chipewyan)Region: Calgary, Alberta

Dark Coloured DrumDate: 2011Material: moose skinMaker: Lee Hillman (Ojibway) and Patrick Deranger (Chipewyan)Region: Calgary, Alberta

Light Coloured DrumDate: 2011Materials: deer skinMaker: Lee Hillman (Ojibway) and Patrick Deranger (Chipewyan)Region: Calgary, Alberta

1

2

3

1

2

3

“In the Aboriginal world of legends, there are many mythical beings. Ordinary animals may have supernatural powers or spirit helper duties. Nine hand puppets, created for children, include Hunter the Bear, Bizzy the Beaver, Splash the Orca, Wakus the Frog, Tricky the Raven, Howler the Wolf, Boomer the Thunderbird, Grace the Eagle and Shelly the Turtle.”


Splash the Orca and Bizzy the Beaver Puppets

Date: 2010Materials: polyester plush fabric (Created in Canada and produced in Beijing, People’s Republic of China)Maker: Chris Kewistep (Heiltsuk)Region: Bella Bella, British Columbia

“Janze has his own studio, where he produces not only his fine original pieces, but also a line of cast pieces, designed and executed personally.”

“Frogs, able to live in water and on land, are respected because they can adapt to many worlds, both earthly and spirit-filled. The knowledge and power of frogs make them primary spirit-helpers of shamans. They are considered to be great communicators, able to find mutual understanding in disputes or to speak for the common cause.”


Frog Earrings

Date: 2011Material: cast silverMaker: Phil Janze (Gitksan)Region: Hazelton, British Columbia

Baskets reflect the local materials surrounding the makers. Basket containers are among the world’s oldest forms of design. Originally used mostly for domestic purposes, baskets in recent centuries have been created for their beauty as much as for their function.


Baskets

Sweet Grass BasketsDate: 2011Materials: Sweet grass and ash woodMaker: Annie Cando (Micmac)Region: Gesgapegian, Quebec

Pine Baskets and CoastersDate: 2011Material: Pine needlesMaker: “Mary”Region: East Kootenays, British Columbia

Birch bark BasketsDate: 2011Materials: Birch bark BasketsMaker: Dube Family (Atikamekw)Region: Mananam, Quebec

1

2

3

1

2

3

“ Eagles and whales are important in our culture and celebrated within our traditions. Eagle and Whale are both powerful symbols. Depicted together they express the strength of unity and diversity. These pieces symbolize the point of sharing and connection—themes that are central to our culture.” — Terry Starr


Eagle-Whale Salad Servers

Date: 2009Material: silver plateMaker: Terry Shaw (Tsimshian)Region: Prince Rupert, British Columbia

“Made from recycled glass, the Sea to Sky collection is a collaborative effort between Canadian Aboriginal designer-artist, Corrine Hunt, and Canadian producer/developer of fine gifts, BOMA MFG. The master art work was created by Corrine Hunt and each piece in the collection bears a cropping of this fine design. When brought together the collection completes the visual artwork . . . BOMA is a Canadian owned and operated design and manufacturing company producing high-quality giftware with an emphasis on incorporating recycled materials.”


Sea to Sky Tableware Collection

Date: 2010Material: recycled glassMaker: Corrine Hunt (Kwakiutl and Tlingit)Region: Alert Bay, British Columbia

Dolls were made by nearly every culture, and the hide dolls in this collection are based on the leather dolls used by First Nations on the Great Plains area (of Canada).. “My mother told us that we should not make dolls with faces because they could be used as an effigy item in a ceremony” — Kathleen Coleclough

The Mohawk corn husk dolls, again, do not have faces. A First Nations shop-keeper that provided these dolls for the exhibition explained; “There are no faces on the dolls. This encourages children to use their imagination.” In addition to children collectors from around the world value these hand crafted dolls.


Dolls and Animal Toys

Bison and Horse ToyDate: 2011Materials: leather hide, cotton, horsehair, ribbonMaker: Kathleen Coleclough (Ojibway, Cree, Assiniboine) and Jeffery Coleclough (Ojibway)Region: Riceton, Saskatchewan

Dancing dollsDate: 2011Materials: deer leather hide, wood, corn husks, yarn, beadsMaker: Unknown Maker, MohawkRegion: Six Nations, Ontario

”Peg” dollsDate: 2011Materials: deer leather hide, corn husk, yarn, beadsMaker: Unknown Maker, MohawkRegion: Six Nations, Ontario

Red-and-Blue-Dress DollsDate: 2011Materials: leather hide, cotton, horsehair, ribbonMaker: Kathleen Coleclough (Ojibway, Cree, Assiniboine) and Jeffery Coleclough (Ojibway)Region: Riceton, Saskatchewan

1

2

3

4

1

2 2

334

“This double-walled shopping basket is made from the inner bark of both red and yellow cedar trees. Cedar is our ‘tree of life’ and we honour the diversity and richness of this traditional Aboriginal weaving material.” —Brenda Crabtree


Cedar Shopping Basket

Date: 2011Material: cedar barkMaker: Brenda Crabtree (Nlaka’pamux and Sto:lo)Region: Chilliwack, British Columbia

The two-sided rattle makes sounds with a “back and forth” movement that may make two sounds depending on what is inside the rattle. Cherry pits, dried corn or stone pebbles may be used to create various sounds. Pellets or BB’s create loud sharp sounds. The horn rattles are “shakers” made from animal horns that provide rhythmic sounds to complement drums during social and ceremonial songs.


Rattles

Horn RattleDate: 2011Materials: hickory wood, animal hornMaker: Manyblossomingfollowing (Iroquois-Cayuga)Region: Six Nations, Brantford, Ontario

Ceremonial RattleDate: 2011Materials: moose/deer hide, cedarMaker: Bertha Jerome (Algonquin)Region: Barrier Lake, Quebec

1

2

1

2

“We are blessed in the spirit of transformation.” — Paul Windsor

“Providers of peace, joy and inspiration.” — Francis Horn

“Respecting our past, embracing the present, keeping balance.” — Mike Dangeli


Scarves

Medium Coloured DrumDate: 2011Material: viscoseMaker: Francis Horn Sr. (Coast Salish)Region: Vancouver, British Columbia

Frame of MindDate: 2011Material: viscoseMaker: Mike Dangeli (Nisga’a, Tlingit,Tsimshian)Region: Prince Rupert, British Columbia

ButterfliesDate: 2011Material: viscoseMaker: Paul Windsor (Haisla, Heiltsuk)Region: Kitimat, British Columbia

1

2

3

12

3

1

2

3

“These items are made from locally sourced birch bark and hand crafted on the Curve Lake First Nation. Each piece is one of a kind with porcupine quills and sweet grass used as accents. Looking at these crafts made from bark reminds us of past times when the white birch tree provided most things from a snug home to a swift canoe.” — Whetung Ojibway Centre


Toy Canoes

Date: 2011Materials: white birch bark, sweet grass, porcupine quillMaker: (Ojibway)Region: Curve Lake Reserve, Ontario

“Hudson’s Bay Company employee George Simpson McTavish Jr., the son of a Scottish fur trader, brought back a pair of moccasins from Fort Churchill to England around 1887. The moccasins were of northern Cree or Cree-Métis production and had been adopted by European fur traders as an essential form of footwear.

Aboriginal women were well-known for producing sturdy, practical, and beautifully decorated moccasins that they would trade for European goods.”


Moccasins, Mitts and Belts

Children’s MoccasinsDate: 2009Materials: moose hide, glass beadsMaker: Dorothy Bear (Cree)Region: Northern Alberta

Beaded BeltsDate: 2009Materials: glass beads, seed beadsMaker: Two Young Men (Stoney)Region: Morley, Alberta

MIttsDate: 2009Materials: leather hide, beaver fur, plastic beadsMaker: Terri Daniels (Stoney)Region: Morley, Alberta

1

2

3

1 1

2

3

The Maliseet and Micmac people are excellent basket makers, using the wood of the ash tree to fashion many different styles of baskets. This long-practised craft provides supplemental income to some of the members’ families and a continuity of the cultural heritage.


Ash Wood Baskets

Coloured BasketsDate: 2009Material: ashMaker: Annie Cando (Micmac)Region: Gesgapegiag, Quebec

Natural BasketsDate: 2011Material: ashMaker: Robin Paul (Maliseet)Region: Gesgapegiag, Quebec

1

2

2

1

2

“A ceremonial dance mask is worn to cure mankind of certain afflictions, to prevent future disease, and when put outdoors to split destructive winds. Although this Helper has not been blessed, it would be grossly improper to use Him in a simulated dance or any other spurious manner.” — The Snow Goose Ltd.


False Face Masks

Laughing BeggarDate: 2011Materials: wood, horsehair, copperMaker: Clarence Longboat (Wolf Clan, Iroquois-Onondaga)Region: Ohsweken, Ontario

Whistler MaskDate: 2011Materials: wood, horsehair, copperMaker: Clarence Longboat (Wolf Clan, Iroquois-Onondaga)Region: Ohsweken, Ontario

1

2

12

This grouping consists of brightly coloured beaded jewellery in bold geometric forms and patterns. These examples are typical of recent beadwork from the Stoney First Nation in the region. The designs were primarily crafted for sale at “trading posts” or souvenir shops. The earliest trading posts were established for exchange and bartering of commodities required by fur traders and Aboriginals. These products are popular among tourists from all parts of the world.


Beaded Jewellery

EarringsDate: 2011Material: glass beadsMaker: Dorothy Bear (Cree)Region: Saskatchewan

BarrettsDate: 2011Materials: cut glass beads, hideMaker: Unknown Maker (Stoney)Region: Morley, Alberta

Beaded MedallionsDate: 2011Materials: glass beads, moose hideMaker: Chiniki (Stoney)Region: Morley, Alberta

1

2

3

1

23

These puzzles educate and entertain young people with the visual language of Westcoast aboriginals. The toys are popular in this era of “green” awareness of local creatures.


Animal Peg Puzzle

BearDate: 2008Material: offset printing, paper laminated to wood with non-toxic coatings (Created in Canada and produced in The People’s Republic of China)Maker: Paul Windsor (Haisla)Region: Kitimat, British Columbia

ButterflyDate: 2008Material: offset printing, paper laminated to wood with non-toxic coatings (Created in Canada and produced in People’s Republic of China)Maker: Eugene Isaac (Kwakwaka’wakw)Region: Alert Bay, British Columbia

TurtleDate: 2008Materials: offset printing, paper laminated to wood with non-toxic coatings (Created in Canada and produced in The People’s Republic of China)Maker: Terry Starr (Tsimshian)Region: Morley, Alberta

1

2

3

1 2 3

“The story of the Dream Catcher was created from a number of Native legends concerning myths and symbols. It’s believed that when hung in a window or above a bed, the web will catch all dreams, good and bad. The good dreams are filtered through to the sleeper, while evil dreams become entangled in the web and held there to be burned off by the first rays of the morning light. Certain colours, natural artifacts, semi-precious gems and stones are used to attract the positive energies that we need to replenish our spirits.”


Dream Catcher

Date: 2011Materials: feathers, wood, beads, leatherMaker: Joanne Daniels (Ojibway)Region: Northern Ontario

“Consisting of 108 pages of hand-painted illustrations, Red is a ground breaking mix of Haida imagery and Japanese manga. Tragic and timeless, it is reminiscent of such classic stories as Oedipus Rex and Macbeth. Red is an action-packed and dazzling graphic novel that is also a cautionary tale about the devastating effects of rage and retribution.”


Red, A Haida Manga

Date: 2011Materials: offset lithography, paper with no content from old-growth forestsMaker: Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas (Haida)Region: Vancouver, British Columbia

This collection of travel mugs and water bottles is decorated with images that represent various styles of Aboriginal groups from regions across British Columbia. The combination of traditional images and contemporary industrial design reflects the collaborative partnering of Aboriginal designers and a local manufacturer. These well-designed packages feature the name and tribal affiliation of the designing artist and, when possible, a quote offering insight into the artist’s personal and cultural meaning of the design.


Mugs and Water Bottles

Ancestors Water BottleDate: 2010Materials: stainless steel, ceramic, paper cardMaker: Ben Houstie (Heiltsuk)Region: Bella Bella, British Columbia

Chief of the Seas TravelDate: 2010Materials: stainless steel, ceramic, paper cardMaker: Donald Edenshaw (Haida)Region: Masset, British Columbia

Continuity Blue-and-Black Package DesignDate: 2010Materials: stainless steel, ceramic, paper cardMaker: Donald Edenshaw (Haida)Region: Masset, British Columbia

Four Clans Blue-and-White Package DesignDate: 2010Materials: stainless steel, ceramic, paper cardMaker: Terry Starr (Tsimshian)Region: Vancouver, British Columbia

Spirits of the Sea Travel MugDate: 2010Materials: stainless steel, ceramic, paper cardMaker: Kelly Robinson (Nuxalk, Nuu-Chah-Nulth)Region: Bella Coola, British Columbia

1

2

3

4

5

1

4

5

2 3

“The Coastal People’s rich tradition of sharing and gift giving has been the source of inspiration for this bowl. Our culture unites the traditional and the contemporary by embracing the spirit of celebration, sharing and continuity.”


Frog Bowl

Date: 2009Material: silver plateMaker: Corey Bullpitt (Haida)Region: Langley, British Columbia

“The theme and style of Don’s graphic designs are often cross-delete space cultural lines, including those within the Northwest Coast Indian art community. Although perhaps best known for his graphics, Don is also an accomplished carver of wood, ivory, argillite, silver and gold.”

Davidson, known internationally as a carver of totem poles and masks, print maker, painter and jeweller, has become a leading figure in the renaissance of Haida art and culture. Today he lives near Vancouver, working out of a studio on Semiahmoo First Nation’s land and making annual return visits to Haida Gwaii in British Columbia”


Greeting Cards

Frog, Beaver, BearDate: 2011Materials: offset lithography, paperMaker: Robert Davidson (Haida)Region: British Columbia

Bear, Frogs, Raven, Moon, Haida Weeping WomanDate: 2008Materials: offset lithography, paperMaker: Don Yeomans (Haida)Region: Masset, British Columbia

1

2

1 2

1

2

Quillwork involved softening and dying stiff porcupine quills and weaving them onto birch bark or leather. Today, only a handful of porcupine quill workers carry on the tradition of this intricate art form.


Porcupine Baskets

Date: 2011Materials: porcupine quill, sweet grass, birch barkMaker: Sharon John (Saugeen First Nation)Region: Saugeen Reserve, Ontario

Charles comes from a small community about 200 miles north ofVancouver, British Columbia. Self-taught, he began carving as a hobby in 1979. These hand-carved and painted letter openers are a favourite among tourists.–Hill’s Native Art


Letter Openers

Watchman Date: 2011Material: pineMaker: Charles Mckay (Interior Salish)Region: Lytton, British Columbia

FrogDate: 2011Material: pineMaker: Charles Mckay (Interior Salish)Region: Lytton, British Columbia

ThunderbirdDate: 2011Material: pineMaker: Charles Mckay (Interior Salish)Region: Lytton, British Columbia

1

2

3

12

3

Some argue that the original chokers were created not only for their beauty but to protect the throat during battle. There are hundreds of stories that have been passed down through generations and it is in the eyes of the interpreter to decide the meaning.


Chokers

Date: 2011Materials: wood, brass, glass beads, cow bone, leatherMaker: Unknown Maker (Mohawk, Iroquois)Region: Six Nations, Brantford, Ontario

Ceinture fléchée would eventually become one of the main symbols of the Métis Nation in Canada. Métis are persons of mixed American Indian and Euro-American heritage. The sashes are made with wool and the technique of finger weaving, a craft shared by Iroquois and Scandinavian peoples. Voyageurs used sashes as back supports in their canoes.


Métis Sash

Date: 2011Material: woolMaker: Unknown Maker (Métis)Region: Quebec

Lacrosse is Canada’s national game. “The sport of lacrosse has been played by the Mohawk people for several hundred years, even before the 1500s. Over the centuries, the art of manufacturing a lacrosse stick has been passed down from one generation of Mohawk craftspeople to another. Since 1928, lacrosse sticks have been commercially manufactured in Akwesasne. At one point, Akwesasne manufactured 97 per cent of the world’s output of lacrosse sticks. With the introduction of plastic sticks the demand for wooden lacrosse sticks from Akwesasne dwindled. Today, the situation is much different. Lacrosse has taken off as a worldwide sport and lacrosse stick manufacturing is a vibrant growing industry. Even the wooden lacrosse stick, which Akwesasne is known for, is once again in demand.”


Lacrosse Stick

Date: 2011Material: hickoryMaker: Akwesasne Lacrosse Stick FactoryRegion: Akwesasne, Ontario

“The first garments of the Indians were woven from the inner cedar bark and wool from mountain sheep . . . Today a Cowichan Indian sweater is still made of wool that contains lanolin, making it rain resistant . . . Because the Cowichan climate in the winter is verydamp, though not cold, an Indian sweater is an ideal garment. It gives a person cozy protection from the weather for hours, while not restricting one’s movements while fishing, hunting, or general wear.”


Child’s Eagle Sweater and Toque

Date: 2011Material: sheep woolMaker: Georgina Jimmy (Cowichan, Coast Salish)Region: Cowichan Valley, British Columbia

“Born in Temagami, Ontario, Chee Chee largely taught himself to draw and paint . . . He was a prominent member of the second generation of Woodland Indian painters, a Native art movement that began in the early 1960’s and has since then become one of the important art schools in Canada.”

“ . . . Maxine has mastered the skills of painting and drawing plus the processes of serigraphy, etching and stone lithography.”

Rick studied wildlife biology, a strong influence on his painting, which he began full-time in 1981.


Scarves

Dolphin SoulmatesDate: 2010Material: silkMaker: Maxine Noel (Santee Oglala Sioux)Region: Toronto, Ontario

HummingbirdsDate: 2010Material: silkMaker: Rick Beaver (Ojibway)Region: Rice Lake, Ontario

Snow GeeseDate: 2010Material: silkMaker: Benjamin Chee Chee (Ojibway)Region: Temagami, Ontario

1

2

3

1

2 3

1

2

3

rabbit packing doll - canadian society for asian...

Documents