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 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 Flowered Quill Box
This is a quill box created in 1985 by Delia Beboning of the Ojibwe. She lives on Manitoulin Island, Ontario,...
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,...
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...
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 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 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 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 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 Bandolier Bag
A Chippewa bandolier bag is a large, heavy, and intracitely beaded bag that is traditionally worn by men diagonally across...
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 an Octagonal Birchbark Box
The box was created in 1900 by an unknown Odawa artist in Harbor Springs, Michigan. The box is a 5...
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...
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 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 Painted Birch Bark Box
The MSU Museum describes this box as a "Michigan Indian rectangular birch bark box." The creator is unknown and it...