Artistry
As many native languages, including Anishinaabemowin originally lacked a written iteration of the language, the original purpose of quill box art work was to label food storage (VanDeCar et al. 1). First the boxes would be filled with food and then be buried, the birch bark wood acting as a natural pest repellent (Huber et al.). The designs atop the box signified the type of food that was inside it. But beyond their origin as tools for labeling, the boxes are also impressive works of art in their own right. The designs are often taken from nature, flowers being a popular choice, as well as animals, as in the case of this particular box. Thus, the bear paw design pays respect to aspects of culture significant to Indigenous groups in the Great Lakes region and the value placed on natural world, including the makwa, or bear (Pomedli). This incorporation of native folklore into art also demonstrates the ways in which Indigenous artists use art to combat colonial repression, as “inevitably, Indigenous artists confront their relationships to the philosophies or traditions that frame their cultural mapping with their artwork” ( Rickard , 83). As such, the bear paw quill box is not only beautiful, it is also a culturally rich addition to Indigenous art.