Corn Husk Dolls

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Iroquois Story of the Corn Husk Doll From "AAA Native Arts"
The Iroquois people have what they call the three sisters, the "sustainers of life". These sisters are called corn, beans, and squash. The corn Spirit was so thrilled at being one of the sustainers of life that she asked the Creator what more she could do for her people. The Creator said that a beautiful doll could be formed from the husks. 

The Creator set to work to form the doll. When finished he gave the doll a beautiful face, and sent it to the children of the Iroquois people to play with, and to make them happy. The doll went from village to village playing with the children and doing whatever she could for the children. 

Everywhere she went everyone would tell her how beautiful she was, so after a while she became vain. The Creator spoke to her and explained that this was not the right kind of behavior, and she agreed not to be this way anymore. The Creator told her that if she continued with this behavior he would punish her, but he would not tell her how he would do it. She agreed not to act that way again, and things went on as before. 


One afternoon she was walking by a creek and she glanced into the water. As she admired herself, she couldn't help thinking how beautiful she was, because indeed she was beautiful.At this time Creator sent a giant screech owl out of the sky and it snatched her reflection from the water. When she looked again, she had no reflection. This was the punishment the Creator put upon her.

When an Iroquois Mother makes a doll for her child, she tells them this legend. This is to remind the child that it is wrong to think they are better then any one else, and they must know that the Creator has given a special gift to everyone. 

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Seneca Story of the Corn Husk Doll as told by Mrs. Snow

Many, many years ago, the corn, one of the Three Sisters, wanted to make something different. She made the moccasin and the salt boxes, the mats, and the face. She wanted to do something different so the Great Spirit gave her permission. So she made the little people out of corn husk and they were to roam the earth so that they would bring brotherhood and contentment to the Iroquois tribe. But she made one that was very, very beautiful. This beautiful corn person, you might call her, went into the woods and saw herself in a pool. She saw how beautiful she was and she became very vain and naughty. 


That began to make the people very unhappy and so the Great Spirit decided that wasn't what she was to do. She didn't pay attention to his warning, so the last time the messenger came and told her that she was going to have her punishment. Her punishment would be that she'd have no face, she would not converse with the Senecas or the birds or the animals. She'd roam the earth forever, looking for something to do to gain her face back again. So that's why we don't put any faces on the husk dolls.


Visit our website to see many more examples of Native and Inuit doll craft or come by the gallery:

Indianica
79 Rue St.Paul Est
Montreal, QC
H2Y 3R1

Story of the Dancing Bear

The Dancing Bear is a very popular motif in Inuit sculpture. The form of a Dancing Bear is one that can be dynamically expressed with joy and often impressive feats of balance. Below is an explanation of the popular symbol of reincarnation as written by Danial Quma Angiju:

These carefully balanced creatures suggest the angakoq poised between heaven and earth, ready for transformation and flight. A shamanic bear can be recognized by a short thick neck, the one remaining sign of human identity. The Inuit believe that after death they return as an animal … thus continuing the chain of life. The Bear represents the “king” of the Arctic animal kingdom so to return as a polar bear is the most favored choice. Returning as a polar bear the Inuk is happy and dances to show pleasure of joy. 

Visit our gallery today to see more stunning examples of the Dancing Bear sculpted in soapstone:

Indianica
79 Rue St. Paul Est
Montreal, QC
H2Y 3R1

Story of the Inukshuk

Inukshuk sculpture in soapstone

The inukshuk (or inuksuit) is a symbol that is widely recognized in Canada but rarely understood. It was recently chosen as the official 2010 Vancouver Olympic symbol, but it is much more than a mascot and its tradition runs deep in Inuit culture. Often, in our gallery, guests from all corners of the earth will exclaim, "Ah! I know this symbol but...what does it mean?" Below, please find a brief history, as taken from The Silent Messengers by Norman Hallendy.


Figures made of stone called inuksuit are amongst the most important objects created by the Inuit who were the first people to inhabit portions of Alaska, Arctic Canada, and Greenland. The term inukshuk (the singular of inuksuit) means "to act in the capacity of a human". It is an extension of Inuk meaning "a human being". 

These stone figures were placed on the temporal and spiritual landscapes. Among many practical function, they were employed as hunting and navigation aids, coordination points, indicators, and message centers. The Inuit also constructed a stone figure called an inunnguaq which means "in the likeness of a human". In addition to their earthly functions, certain inukshuk-like figures had spiritual connotations, and were objects or veneration, often marking the threshold of the spiritual landscape of the Inummariit-the Inuit who knew how to survive on the land living the traditional way. 

So compelling was the desire of the Inummariit to create inuksuit that they appear not only on the earthly landscape but in legends and stories, in figures that emerge from movements of fingers playing string games, and in a winter-sky constellation. 


Many Inuit who lived most of their lives on the land retain a strong attachment to inuksuit believed to have been built by their ancestors. Some of these "old" inuksuit are mentioned in Aya-yait, the traveling songs passed from one generation to the next to help travelers remember a series of directions for long trips. Often these old inuksuit are venerated regardless of their function. Even today, the appearance of familiar inuksuit on the landscape is a welcome sight when one is a long way from home. 


Whether they symbolize their maker, acted in his capacity, or were the object of veneration, inuksuit functioned as helpers and messengers created by an infinite arrangement of stones. They were an integral part of the hunters' language and endure as indelible signatures upon the Arctic landscape.


We are pleased to feature a delightful variety of inukshuk sculpture hand crafted in soapstone by Inuit artists in our gallery and online. Please visit sometime to learn more and see for yourself!

Indianica
79 Rue St. Paul Est
Montreal, QC

Story of the Dream Catcher

Natural Dream Catcher

The dreamcatcher is one of the most iconic symbols of native culture and its legend is one that can be appreciated by all. Below is a sample of the dreamcatcher story, the essence of which translates across not only tribes but all cultures: Good dreams should allowed into our sleep and Bad Dreams must be trapped in the web and held from the dreamer.

We are pleased to offer a variety dreamcatchers adorned with various stones and feathers in our shop and online. 

A STORY OF THE DREAMCATCHER

by Finder

Long ago in the days of the ancestors, some of the children of the people were having strange, frightening dreams.  As the children talked to other children, the troubling dreams spread among them like a plague. The parents of the children were concerned. The people wanted their children to be happy but they didn’t know what to do. The people went to talk to the shaman. The shaman listened patiently as the parents told him about their distress.

The shaman told the parents that he could help. But he would need to spend some time in counsel with the spirits before he would have a solution.  The shaman would have to enter the dream world to find the answer. Upon entering the dream world the shaman was approached by the four elements: Air, Earth, Water and Fire. Air had already heard of the parent’s concern, and had carried the message on the wind to the other elements.

All the spirits in the dream world loved the children and wanted to help return the children to their state of peaceful sleep. The elements and the shaman dreamed together for a long time. They finally came to understand that:

Air could carry the children’s dreams

Water could wash and separate dreams Earth could hold the dreams within her hoop.

Beaded Dream Catcher

Fire could use the morning sun to burn up the unwanted dreams that are caught in the web.

Now all they needed was something to capture the dreams as they were carried by the air. Try as they might, the shaman and the elements could not think of a way to catch the dreams.

Grandmother Spider had been listening!

She said, "Beautiful, loving elements, I can help you as you help me every day." Grandmother Spider continued, "I can weave a special web that only wanted dreams can escape down to the dreamer."

And so she did, and the first Dreamcatcher was made.

The shaman brought the dreamcatcher with him when he made his journey back from the dream world.All of the families of the people made dreamcatchers. The families hung them above where the children slept, in a place that was seen by the sun. No longer were the children troubled by unwanted dreams. Instead they had happy dreams and peaceful sleep.


And so, at last, Great Spirit looked into the dreams of the children and smiled.

Generations Dream Catcher

Indianica
79 Rue St. Paul Est
Montreal, QC
H2Y 3R1