Akwesasne Cultural Center Museum - Part 2

I was touring the Akwesasne Cultural Center Museum (see Part 1, posted yesterday) and stopped at these two stuffed partridge to read the sign. It explained that "Akwesasne" means "Land where the partridge drums:"

Everyday items for grinding corn, etc:

This soapstone carving represents the three sisters - corn, beans and squash. The face represents Mother Earth and the turtle shell represents Turtle Island, a term for this continent which originates with the creation story. The artist was Steve Kateroton McComber, a Mohawk:

A Bear Clan pendant, maker unknown, and a Snipe Clan Pendant, by Helen Laughing. Clans are one of the oldest aspects of Mohawk culture and are still important in Akwesasne as part of a person's identity:

This beaded hanging urn, maker unknown, was one of a wide variety of items made for sale in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The use of glass beads began in the 1600s and continues today:

A turtle shell rattle:

Three canoes, from top to bottom: Birchbark (collected in Akwesasne in 1925), Dugout (found on the banks of Earl Creek in 1972), and another, more sophisticated Dugout (purchased in Akwesasne in the late 1800s):

I've always loved dioramas, though they are devilishly hard to photograph. This was part of an extensive diorama which illustrated the layout of a typical village:

More exquisite baskets:

More beadwork and other objects of art:

I didn't notice the detail on this large basket until I got home and was editing photos. Then I noticed the tiny baskets all over its surface, but especially hanging from around the rim:

A horn rattle with bear carving (the bear is on the end of the handle):

Beadwork and Quillwork earrings:

Cloth and beadwork needle case:

Birchbark and porcupine quill box. And yet there was still more to see. I'll post Part 3 tomorrow:

The Akwesasne Cultural Center Museum - Part 2

I continued my tour of the Akwesasne Mohawk Museum. These were a Snipe Clan pendant and a Bear Clan pendant. Clans are an important part of Akwesasne culture and identity:

Ironworker corn husk dolls. Mohawk people have a long tradition of ironwork and even today there are more than 300 Akwesasne Mohawks who are members of Ironworkers Local 440. Below that is a soapstone carving:

A beaded, hanging urn. Beaded items were made for sale in great numbers during the 1800s and early 1900s, though the use of glass beads began as far back as the 1600s and continues today:

Dugout canoe, with emblems representing Mohawk Clans:

Lacrosse was more than a sport and was held sacred. A lacrosse player assisted the Sky Woman as she fell to earth in creation. She landed on the turtle's back and the sacred games helped connect the Mohawk to the sky world:

There were many lacrosse sticks on display:

More lacrosse sticks and baskets, including a strawberry basket:

Diorama of an early Akwesasne village:

The diorama from another angle:

Mohawk men wore traditional headdresses, feathered caps with a different insignia for each tribe. In times of war, the men shaved their heads except for the familiar crest down the center. Mohawk women sometimes wore special beaded tiaras. But there was still more to see at the museum, and I'll post Part 2 tomorrow: