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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 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 Birchbark Container
Lidded birch bark container made from one solid birch bark piece, stitched together with root. The container has a solid...
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...
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 a Basswood Woven Bag
The basswood woven bag, at a first glance seems like a simple object, yet it is embeded in a web...
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...
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 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 Mush Paddle
"This is a hand-carved, solid wood mush paddle. The paddle features two sets of carved grooves, one on the shaft...
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...
Black Ash Basket with Antler Stand
This black ash basket with antlers was handcrafted in Nedrow, New York by husband and wife duo, Ronni-Leigh Goeman and...
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 Victorian Woven Purse
This enigmatic basket is made of black ash splints for the body and basswood fibers for the details. The maker...
Four Views of a Bear Paw Quill Box
This quill box, was created by the renowned quill work artist Yvonne Walker Keshick, who also goes by the Indigenous...
Four Views of a Turtle Shell Pouch
This turtle shell pouch was made in 1991 in Carp Lake, MI by Odawa maker Carolyn Beck. It is made...
Four Views of Fire Keepers Barrette
Created by Linda Topash Yazel, this barrette is 5.75" by 2.75" at widest point with orange, lavender, clear, white, brown,...