Brain-tanned Hide Doll Workshop

Michelle Reed, Ojibwe artist

In this six-day class Michelle Reed, Lac du Flambeau Band of Ojibwe Artist, taught students both in-person and virtually to make an 18-inch hand-stitched hide doll in full regalia. Students worked with top-quality supplies, including brain-tanned hide, banded wool, horsehair, bone hair pipe, and glass beads. One full day was spent learning the fine details of making traditional Ojibwe pucker toe moccasins, but as replicas for the doll. Students were told the story of the corn husk no face doll by NMU professor April E. Lindala, of which this doll was an homage.

Cradleboard Workshop

Raeanne Madison, Ojibwe artist

The tiikiinaagin (cradleboard) is not just a baby carrier: it is an Indigenous technology that beautifully encompasses the deep teachings of birth and the postpartum rite of passage. In this workshop, participants constructed and decorated their cradleboards while Raeanne Madison, Bois Forte Ojibwa shared cultural teachings of its use. Instructions included the story of cradleboard resurgence in Michigan, acknowledgement of teachers and culture keepers, cradleboard safety and use, and traditional postpartum teachings.

Art and Entrepreneurship Online Workshop

Megan Haataja, Business Chair - KBOCC

This entrepreneurship workshop was designed to help students launch a new business venture in Native artistry. Emphasis will be placed on providing students with the fundamentals skills that are essential to succeed in the business world. Topics include: basics of starting and operating a business, obtaining a license, exploring various venues to sell, identifying effective marketing strategies and establishing pricing.

Art and Healing Online Workshop

Terry DeRocher Lerma

This presentation introduced to students to the concepts of art, culture and healing in Euro-American and Native American cultures. Research regarding the relationships among these concepts and how cultures do or do not integrate them were presented. Students will have the opportunity to develop short projects within the cultural concepts of both cultures and then will be provided with further resources to explore.