North American ProjectNorth American Project

Jewelry MakingJewelry Making

Timeless SymbolismTimeless Symbolism

PetroglyphsPetroglyphs

Arctic PeoplesArctic Peoples

Honoring the WalrusHonoring the Walrus

Walrus as a Symbol of LifeWalrus as a Symbol of Life

• The most important animal to human The most important animal to human survival in western Alaska was the Walrus. survival in western Alaska was the Walrus. The walrus was respected for its formidable The walrus was respected for its formidable strength and aggressive behavior. The strength and aggressive behavior. The tribal men used symbolic elements of tribal men used symbolic elements of adornment attributed to the walrus. They adornment attributed to the walrus. They wore Labrets below the lower lip on both wore Labrets below the lower lip on both sides symbolizing emergent tusks. At sides symbolizing emergent tusks. At puberty, slit-like holes were pierced under puberty, slit-like holes were pierced under each side of the lower lip—Labrets were each side of the lower lip—Labrets were inserted and larger sizes were used as the inserted and larger sizes were used as the boy grew older, stretching the hole.boy grew older, stretching the hole.

Lip PlugsLip Plugs

Animal form as SymbolAnimal form as Symbol

Tusk Ivory used for animal Tusk Ivory used for animal AmuletsAmulets

AmuletsAmulets

• For strength and protection hunters For strength and protection hunters would carry personal amulets, would carry personal amulets, carvings believed to contain magical carvings believed to contain magical attributes.attributes.

Ivory Bracelet & RingsIvory Bracelet & Rings

Fur BagFur Bag

Fur Neck PouchFur Neck Pouch

Cool SunglassesCool Sunglasses

Engraved Tusk SunglassesEngraved Tusk Sunglasses

Silver WalrusSilver Walrus

Sub-ArcticSub-Arctic

Sub- Arctic CoatSub- Arctic Coat

Fur Trade & Influence of European MotifsFur Trade & Influence of European Motifs

• Regular fur trading began in the early Regular fur trading began in the early 16th century, between Europeans and 16th century, between Europeans and the Indians. The trading eventually the Indians. The trading eventually began to influence the styles and began to influence the styles and motifs included in the beaded clothing motifs included in the beaded clothing articles which had become popularly articles which had become popularly collected. The native tribe women collected. The native tribe women began to include the floral motifs in began to include the floral motifs in their beadwork to satisfy European their beadwork to satisfy European demands.demands.

TotemTotem

WoodlandsWoodlands

WoodlandsWoodlands• Gifting and exchange has been an Gifting and exchange has been an

integral part of Indian lifestyle. Giving to integral part of Indian lifestyle. Giving to acquire goodwill and protection acquire goodwill and protection influenced behavior toward an influenced behavior toward an omnipresent spirit. The Great Spirit’s omnipresent spirit. The Great Spirit’s most valued gift was the sun, shown by most valued gift was the sun, shown by tribes rituals, sacred sun imagery and tribes rituals, sacred sun imagery and shining artifacts. The use of white shell shining artifacts. The use of white shell (wampum) and silver complemented (wampum) and silver complemented each other. each other.

Beads of trade and Beads of trade and adornmentadornment

Copper RelicsCopper Relics

Iroquois MaskettesIroquois Maskettes

Maskettes played a roll in interpretation of dreams

Neck wareNeck ware