This online exhibition was first curated by students in the course "American Indian Women" (ANP 432) in 2016 and added to in subsequent years. This course is taught by Dr. Heather Howard-Bobiwash in the Department of Anthropology at Michigan State University (MSU). Nibwaakaa, - she is wise - in Anishinaabemowin, the language of the Chippewa or Ojibway people, honors the Indigenous women of this region and the Traditional Owners of the land on which MSU has the privilege to operate. The items exhibited are stewarded by the MSU Museum. Students followed Migwaans' "four views" approach which showcases four perspectives on a single item, viewed and interpreted from four different angles. Please click on each exhibit below to see the students' work and read more on the About page.
Four Views of a Bandolier Bag
A Chippewa bandolier bag is a large, heavy, and intracitely beaded bag that is traditionally worn by men diagonally across...
Four Views of a Birch Bark Container
This small, circular birch bark container features quillwork flowers that are dyed pink and green. Each flower has three petals,...
FOUR VIEWS OF A QUILL BOX
Within the Indigenous culture many individuals, clans, tribes, and communities subscribe to the worldview that all creation is linked together...
Four Views of a Square Quill Box
This exhibit gives four in depth views on Rose Williams’ Maple Leaf Quill Box. The maker of this birch bark...
Four Views of a Painted Birch Bark Box
The MSU Museum describes this box as a "Michigan Indian rectangular birch bark box." The creator is unknown and it...
Four Views of Knife and Sheath
These are the four views of "Knife and Sheath", made and formally owned byMary Wemigwase. The Four views that will...
Four Views of a Columbine Quillbox
Observe the design and detailed of the quillbox. Not all of the lid is covered with quills, exposing the birch...
Four Views of a Ceremonial Dance Hand Fan
This fan is composed of eight turkey feathers arranged in a flat diamond-shape with the base made of two uniform...
Four Views of a Haudenosaunee Beaded Glengarry Cap
This item is a Haudenosaunee crafted beadwork hat featuring organic designs and a wide array of raised floral beadwork over...
Baltimore Oriole Quill Box
This circular quill-work box was created using porcupine quills, birch bark, and sweet grass by Lorraine Besito from the Perry...
Chippewa Glove Box
A Chippewa quill work glove box. The top of the box has one word- Gloves; embroidered in all capital letters....
Four Views of a Black Ash Basket
This is a Black Ash basket created in 2008 by Cherish Parrish, amember of the Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians....
Four Views of a Birchbark Container
Lidded birch bark container made from one solid birch bark piece, stitched together with root. The container has a solid...
Quill Box
The quillbox is truly a work of thoughtful hard work, and has resulted in an incredibly beautiful art piece. On the...
Four Views of the Lady Slipper Quill Box
This quill box, crafted in 1998 by Anishinaabe maker Mildred Aguonie of Manitoulin Island, was obtained by the MSU Museum...
Four Views of a Pincushion
This item was purchased by Katherine C. Vail from an individual in 1979 in Cross Village, Michigan. It has a...