Additional Raw Materials For Artwork

Bone and Horn: Moose, Caribou, Wolf, Sheep, Buffalo, Fox, Lynx
Claws: Alaska Timber Wolf, Lynx, Fox, Coyote, Porcupine, Beaver, Wolverine
Ivories: Mammoth, Moose, Elk, Buffalo, Caribou, Martin
Hides (commercial and traditional tanned): Moose, Elk, Deer, Caribou
Wampum: Quohog, Czeck glass (started importing for use in 1702)
Gemstones: Nephrite Jade (N)(BC and Alaska), Garnet (N), Sleeping Beauty Turquoise (stabilized), Kingman Turquoise (N), Mediterrainien Coral (N), Bamboo Coral (dyed), Picture Jasper (N), Red Jasper (N), Tree Agate (N), Mahogany Obsidian (N), Snowflake Obsidian (N), Australian Opal (N)
Beads: Glass, Trade, Bone, Horn, Brass, Nickel, Shell, Copper, Sterling Silver
Feathers: Turkey, Grouse, Pheasant, Duck, Goose. Hand painted: Eagle (Bald, Golden), Hawk (Red Tail, Cooper, Harris)
Furs: Wolf, Lynx, Fox, Rabbit, Martin
Skulls: Wolf, Lynx, Fox, Coyote, Beaver, Martin
Misc. Raw Materials: Dentallium, Porcupine Quills, Horse Hair, Turtle Shell, Gourd, Steer Horn, Deer Toes, Catalanite (Pipestone), Diamond Willow, Moose and Caribou Hooves

Finished artwork that incorporates these raw materials

The following list incorporates the raw materials listed above into my finished work:
Necklaces, Earrings, Chokers, Bracelets, Bolo Ties, Eyeglass Holders, Hat Bands, Finger Rings, Rattles, Dance Fans, Diamond Willow Canes and Walking Sticks, Knives, Knife Sheaths, Medicine Bags, Shoulder Strap Bags, Spirit Sticks, Men and Women’s Breastplates, Crow Loop Necklaces, Sacred Pipes.
Wampum: Reproduction Belts, Bracelets, Leggings, Earrings, Chokers, Necklaces

The listing of raw materials and finished work changes due to new materials incorporated and new ideas or old techniques learned.

St. Regis Wampum Belt

My name is Don Standing Bear Forest, I am a member of the Sou’West Nova Metis of the Confederacy of Nova Scotia Metis. My heritage also includes Mi’kmaq, Huron, and Abenaki, from the Northeast of Turtle Island.

Wampum, such as I used in this belt, was used by my peoples in documenting historical events, adornments, and trade. This St Regis belt is 5 inches wide by 38 inches long, and is an exact replica of the original belt from the 1600’s. The beads are deep purple, and white glass beads woven together with deer hide.

I selected the St.Regis belt to recreate, because of it’s powerful message, the importance of walking the straight path. This is a “record belt”, meaning that it recorded some event. This belt is also called the Seven Nations Belt.
This belt represents the union of the Seven Nations: Mohawk Band at Lake of Two Mountains, Algonquin Band at Lake of Two Mountains, Nipissing Band at Lake of Two Mountains, part of Caughnawaga Band, Oswegatchie Band, Hurons of Lorett, and Abenakis of St. Francis. The crooked line at the bottom represents that they were crooked (Roman Catholic). Their path is not straight. They have forsaken the Great Law and gone to the land of the cross, Canada.
This belt embodies the pledge of the seven Canadian Chrisitianized nations to abandon their crooked ways and to keep an honest peace. It was given to the Five Nations to mark their submission to the power of the Iroquois Confederacy, with a promise of peace.

I have been weaving wampum for 12 years under the guidance of Mohawk wampum artist, Lynn Estes, of Massachusetts. It is my passion. My vision is to recreate the original belts which are currently held in museum archives, so that they can be displayed for public education on this old art form.