Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Remarkable Larance Family

Recently, one of the artists we are proud to support at Indianica, Steve Wikviya Larance, was featured along with his family in the Fall 2010 issue of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian magazine in an article titled "Shining Brightly".



As a team, Steve and his wife Marian, create  beautiful pieces of Hopi style tufa cast jewelry (see previous post describing the process), and their children Nizhoni, Cree and Shandien are all artists as well. Their oldest son, Nakotah, is a professional hoop dancer and performs as a principal character in the Cirque du Soleil production of Totem.

Stay tuned for an interview with Steve!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Smudging Ceremony


Smudging ceremonies are a traditional means of purifying people, a place or objects. Sage, cedar or juniper are burned in an abalone shell (pictured above) and allowed to smolder until smoke appears. The smoke is then passed around a person's body or room, using one's hands or a feather.

  

Smudging ceremonies can be used to purify:
A new home
A place of business
A space before important meetings
During sacred ceremonies
In health centers
Spaces where difficult or negative  events have occurred
Before meditation

According to tradition, it is recommended to offer the smoke to the four directions, beginning to the North or the East and to say a prayer while holding the shell. Native spirituality teaches us that the smoke of the sacred herbs brings our prayers into the spiritual world. As it vanishes into the air, the smoke goes directly into the world of perfect forms called «Ungawi», in Cherokee, this sacred place where all Spirits live. Not only does this smoke brings our message to the world of the Creator, Great Spirit or Great Mystery, the One with so many names in so many languages, but it is also a offering for which the good Spirits are grateful.

Smudging being a holy act, the remaining ashes are sacred and consequently should be given back to the earth in a respectful manner. (In some nations, these ashes are accumulated during the year and buried during a special ceremony.)

To purify your house, first open a door and a window in all rooms. Starting from one side of the door, follow the wall with the shell, sending smoke everywhere, even in cabinets and closets. When you are arrive on the other side of the door, your house will have been entirely purified.

To purify someone, stand before that person and allow the smoke of the shell to come in contact with all parts of its body, starting with the feet and going up. Do the same thing again in his or her back.

 -Earth Eagle

Visit our website for more varieties of incense and herbs!

Indianica
79 Rue St. Paul Est
Montreal, QC

Friday, October 22, 2010

Supporting Native Communities and Businesses

Here at Indianca, we take pride in both the long standing and new found relationships we have developed with Native and Inuit artists and companies. We'd like to take a moment to give special mention to those Native owned companies, community organizations and artists whose work Indianica is pleased to support.

Art Huron International, a Huron nation owned company based in Wendlake, Quebec, produces many fine native crafts including mandellas, dreamcatchers, medicine pouches, dolls for children and incense, all of which are carried in our gallery. We feature Art Huron's line of incense sticks also on our website.

 


Bastien Industries, a Huron-Wendat nation owned company, is a manufacturer of fine leather and suede moccasins and mukluks for men, women and children. Extremely well constructed with rabbit fur and bead embellishments, comfortable foot beds and both indoor and outdoor style choices, Bastien moccasins have been a greatly popular item, both in our gallery and online



Native healer, Blue Eagle, has created a line of purifying products, Invocation, which include the very unique Liquid Smudge, a solution for healers who are not allowed to burn herbs and light candles in hospitals and businesses. Indianica is pleased to carry the line, which includes essential oils and bath products, in our gallery. 

  


Manitobah Mukuks, a Metis owned company, began in 1997 and has since been manufacturing highly sought after moccasins and mukluks using both traditional sensibilities and modern technology. Their products are sold internationally and are instantly recognizable for their quality, style and durability. We carry several of their tall suede mukluks and rabbit fur trimmed moccasins, both in our gallery and online.

   


Monague Native Crafts, Ltd is an Ojibway owned company based in Ontario. All products, from jewelry to dreamcatchers, are handmade. At Indianica, we are proud to offer an array of pottery, dolls, dreamcatchers and jewelry which have delighted and intrigued our international customers for years. Online, you can browse our extensive collection of dreamcatchers, all from Monague!


  

The Nunavut Development Corporation is "...committed to a vibrant, diverse and stable economy throughout Nunavut. It creates employment and income opportunities for residents through business development in arts, crafts, and cuisine with sensitivity to cultural and spiritual values." Indianica is especially proud to represent many talented arctic artists who work in soapstone and serpentine carvings, wool tapestries and doll making. We are currently working directly with the Nunavut Development Corporation to create an historical and biographical online database of artists we represent, whether they are relatively obscure or internationally known. 

If there is a Native owned arts and crafts manufacturer who you would like to see represented here in Montreal feel free to contact us! We are always looking for new and interesting artists while on our quest to support and promote indigenous cultures.

Indianica
79 Rue St. Paul Est
Montreal, QC


Monday, October 18, 2010

New In-Store Displays

Below are some snapshots of a great in-store display of new products including incense, sage (and smudge kits) , sweetgrass, medicine pouches, tea and scented candles:




Our most interesting new product is "Liquid Smudge", a series of essential oils which can be used to replace the burning of sage in cleansing ceremonies. It is a "...unique purifying essence recognized by therapists in many countries. Made with 100 % natural products it cleanses the electromagnetic field, helps to relax, to find new energy, clear mind, helps to sleep and to clear away pervading heavy and negative energies." It can be applied directly to an object or used as a room spray. 



We're also proud to introduce a new line of extremely comfortable moccasin slippers made of sheepskin suede and fleece lining. Made in Canada:


Stop by the gallery today to see all new products!

Indianica
79 Rue S. Paul Street
Montreal, QC
H2Y 3R1


Friday, October 15, 2010

Meet the Team! Sebastian Martinez

Each week, we would like to introduce you to a member of our team here at Indianica. Each member of our gallery staff has a unique background and story to tell.

This week meet Sebastian Martinez, a student of Geology at the University of Montreal. Sebastian is originally from Colombia and is fluent in Spanish, French and English.

In this video Sebastian is showing an example of one of the many fine furs and bear skin rugs (worn as shawl) here at Indianica. Below is an introduction in Spanish followed by English:


Come by the gallery to meet everyone on the team here at Indianica!

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




Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Special Preview!

Several wonderful new works of art have arrived at Indianica and we'd like to share them with you first! Before we make them available online, here is a special preview (click on the image captions for more information)...

Shield with leather, fox and feathers

Original Painting by Francine Laurin, Signed

Original Painting by Francine Laurin, Signed
  
 Handmade Inuit and Miq Maq Dolls


Hunting Gloves made with tanned caribou hide and felt

Silver and Turquoise Bracelet by Navajo Artist Mark Yazzie

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


Friday, October 8, 2010

Friday Feature: Ashukan


Ashukan, whose name means "bridge",  is an artistic duo founded by Isa Courtois and Jean-Pierre Fontaine who work to promote Native culture, tradition and ideology through music, painting, sculpture, lectures and workshops. At Indianica, we are proud to represent several wood carvings and fine bone and antler jewelry pieces  made by the pair.


Visit their website to learn more about their mission and artistic ventures!

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