Giving Thanks

Halloween is over, but Thanksgiving is on its way.  While many off us are thinking about turkey and pumpkin pie, I like to use this time of the year to explore the incredible, meaningful, and functional artwork of the Native Americans.  

We are recreating many significant Native American artworks with each grade level:

K-2 are starting out by creating "cave art" and "painted hides" using authentic Ojibwe Native American symbols.  They will also be recreating their own versions of famous Ojibwe artist Norval Morrisseau's X-ray Animal Paintings.  These paintings show an animals spirit and energy instead of bones.

3rd graders are creating traditional Native American God's Eyes. Often created by men of southwestern tribes, these beautiful works serve as a protection for new born babies.  The men add a tassel for every year of life up until age five.  Today, many other cultures have continued this practice as a general symbol of good health for the person receiving the gift.   

4th and 5th graders are working on traditional Ojibwe pouches - with an Ojibwe symbol sewn on to the front and traditional southwestern coil pots.  


Images of completed artwork will be posted soon :)

---