Miskwaabik Animikii – Norval Morrisseau is recognized as the founder or grandfather of the Woodland or Nishnabé School of Art and regarded as the “Picasso of the North.” A member of the Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation of Ontario, Canada, Norval credits his grandfather, Moses Potan Nanakonagos, a mshkekiwnene (medicine man) and knowledge keeper, for his cultural understanding and inspiration. …
13in L x 8.5in W x 1.5in H The 234-page medical journal was researched and recorded by Joseph Napoleon Bourassa, who studied medicine at the Choctaw Academy and had close relationships with traditional medicine men before and after removal. Listed are health conditions and their medicinal therapies. Each treatment is recorded as a recipe, noting wild plants harvested and processed. …
63.5in L x 2.5in H x 1.25in W The long bow was crafted by tribal member Thomas Melot in the 1930s from wood known as Bois d’arc or commonly Osage orange. The mtegwab [bow] is over five feet in length and has a central grip. The bow is part of the permanent collection and on exhibition at the Citizen Potawatomi …
15.5in H x 12in W The bronze statue titled, The Future Begins Now, was created by CPN tribal member Clyde B. Slavin in 2004. It depicts an important portion of the Neshnabé/Bodéwadmi Flood story, where the Muskrat places a piece of earth on the Turtle’s back to create a new world. Note from the artist reads: The Future Begins Now, …
Born from French roots The story of the Nadeau family begins in 1611 in Genouillae Angoumois, Charente, France when Mascia dit Lavigne Nadeau was born. Mascia and his wife, Jeanne Despins, moved to Quebec, Canada. It is unclear when and why the family emigrated from France to Canada, but they may been among the French seeking more openness and economic …
Traditionally, nakneshk or soft stemmed bulrush, was harvested by women of the Human Clan in dgwaget. Growing in large colonies, this cool season perennial is commonly found in wet prairies, non-tidal marshes, swamps, the fringes of lakes and ponds, sloughs, freshwater or brackish shorelines and inland shallow waters throughout the United States. This species prefers silty or peaty soils, seeding …
Recognized historically as one of the most powerful leaders and warriors among the Michigan and Indiana Potawatomi. He was a veteran of the French and Indian War, fighting with the Native-French alliance at the siege of Ft. William Henry. The qualities that earned him respect were passed down to his sons, Topinabee, Chebass and Shissahecon, who would also play pivotal …
The roots of the Navarre family reach back to the 1834 wedding of Kechoueckquay [Kisnawkwe] and Pierre Navarre in the Indiana village of Potawatomi leader, Pokagon. Kechoueckquay was the daughter of Potawatomi leader Wabaunsee, later taking the Christian name of Angelique upon her baptism. Born at Detroit and raised in Monroe, Michigan, Pierre is recognized as the first non-Native settler …
23in W x 45in L The dress was made by Citizen Potawatomi tribal member Julia Navarre and worn by Eva L. Navarre, Viola A. Navarre and granddaughter Gladys B. Small. It is made of a light brown cotton material and yarn [white, orange, red and green]. A handwritten note that was donated with the dress reads, “dress worn by Eva …
Born at Detroit, Pierre Navarre is recognized as the first non-Native settler of Michigan’s St. Joseph River Valley. From Monroe, Michigan, Navarre was considered well-educated and a top agent for the American Fur Company. He would later leave the American Fur Company to establish his own trading post along the St. Joseph River. His experience in trapping and trading with …