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From the first hand-carved arrow points and awls, to modern
and technology-based art, the creations of Aboriginal Peoples
have evolved over the generations to include a wide variety of
work. They may vary in their features and functions, but many of
the pieces produced today are rooted in a shared connection to
the past and a strong sense of pride and identity. Elders share
their arts and crafts expertise with younger generations.
In traditional Aboriginal life, art did not exist separately,
but was inherently present across all aspects of life. Everyday
functional items, such as clothing and tipis, were carefully
decorated to honour and reflect spiritual traditions.1 Tools for
hunting, fishing, and transportation were especially vital to
survival and were crafted by hand out of materials such as
stones, wood, tree roots and animal bones or sinew.
The Peoples’ strong physical and spiritual connection to the
land shone through in their handiwork. Elements found in nature
were used to their fullest potential so that nothing would be
wasted, a resourcefulness that showed deep reverence for the
land. Art demanded this type of respect, as well as vision and
patience, because creations were not just made for aesthetic
purposes. They served as a connecting link to past history and
spirituality. The Aboriginal Peoples found beauty in their
surroundings and incorporated it into daily lives as a sign of
respect and thankfulness to the Creator.
Clothing and small items necessary for daily life were
fashioned with great care and intricately decorated. The
patterns and symbols that graced these pieces often told stories
about life. Aboriginal and Métis women were especially known for
their intricate needlework. Porcupine quills, dyed with
vegetable dyes or left with their natural hue, were used to make
colourful designs and motifs, and glass beads became a popular
alternative after the Fur Trade era. These designs graced
everything from containers and satchels to moccasins and
clothing.
 Women took great pride in their handiwork. Beautifully
decorated clothes showed that a woman took care of her family
and brought prestige and respect to the husbands and children
wearing them. As girls grew, they learned special techniques
from their mothers and grandmothers and in their later years
passed them on to their own daughters and granddaughters.
Another craft that was taught across the generations was the
art of tanning hides. This work, which was also mostly done by
women, took skill and patience. Meat was cleaned off the hide,
which was then stretched and laced onto a wooden frame and
scraped thin until it became rawhide – the stiff, white hide
that is used for making drums and rattles. A special mixture of
boiled moose brains, fat, and soap was rubbed into the hide,
which was left to soften. After a few days, it was smoked in
front of a fire and, finally, soaked in water until soft leather
emerged. It was then ready to be sewn into clothes or moccasins
and decorated with beadwork.2 Today, some Elders continue to tan
hides using the process that was taught to them as young
children.
The tipi was another practical object that was decorated to
reflect aspects of the spiritual life. It was painted with
sacred designs, which originated in dreams or visions and told
stories about life and the universe. The knowledge of the
history and spirituality behind these designs was passed down
along the generations, and the stories and songs that
accompanied them were recounted by community Elders.
Contemporary Aboriginal artists often use new ways of making art
to show old understandings. Modern art forms have emerged
alongside beautiful traditions of the past. Within all the areas
of the arts, Aboriginal Elders have ensured the preservation and
evolution of their creative heritage by passing on their arts
and crafts techniques and grounding them in a traditional and
spiritual setting.
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Heritage Community Foundation Presents
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