The oral tradition of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwa or Chippewa) tells of the five original clans – Crane, Catfish, Loon, Bear, and Marten – traveling west from the Atlantic Ocean, through the Great Lakes and into what is now Minnesota, Ontario, and Manitoba. They were living in this area when the European fur traders first encountered. From these traders, the Anishinaabe first acquired glass beads and began to use these beads to supplement and replace the quillwork and painting that they used to decorate clothing and bags.
In Portland, Oregon, the Portland Art Museum has a display of Anishinaabe beadwork. One of the common themes is a floral design. Art historian Christian Feest, in his book Native Arts of North America, writes:
“Similarly, the floral patterns of the Northeast apparently owe a major debt to mission schools, in which young native women were trained in the latest European styles, sometimes already adapted to the use of traditional materials such as porcupine quills and moosehair.”
According to a museum display:
“These floral designs tend to be quite abstract with a wild array of stylized leaves and flowers attached to a single stem.”
Shown above is a shirt from about 1870 which features glass beads on velvet.
Shown above are a pair of moccasins made about 1890 featuring glass beads on hide.
Shown above is a bandolier bag from about 1840 which features glass beads on a wool and cotton bag.
Shown above is a shirt from about 1920.
Shown above is a woman’s necklace made by Tessa Sayers (Chippewa/Cree) in 2016. This is from the Love and Culture Collection.
Shown above is a men’s tie made by Tessa Sayers (Chippewa/Cree) in 2016. This is from the Love and Culture Collection.
Shown above is a women’s satchel made by Tessa Sayers (Chippewa/Cree) in 2016. This is from the Love and Culture Collection.