HA 253 Final (Fall 2025 w/ Laura Smith @ Michigan State U)

Trickster

A trickster is a character in folklore and mythology who uses cunning and deception to outsmart others, often challenging the status quo and societal norms. These figures play a critical role in storytelling, providing comic relief and provoking thought.

Crest

Figures of animals, birds, sea creatures, and mythic beings—that immediately identify the moity and often the lineage of the owner

Potlatch

Gift-giving ritual where families or entire communities publicly acknowledge high-ranking or chiefly family powers. 

Copper

Frequently presented at potlatches, metal material came to the region via Euro trade, very valuable, might be worth 1,000-9,000 blankets
1,000-900 blankets

Canadian Indian Act of 1884

In 1884, the Canadian government outlawed the potlatch, so there was less carving of any of the objects related to those ceremonies

Totem Poles

Symbolic poles that are unique to the tribes of the North West Coast.

Ellen Neel

(Kwakwaka’wakw)
-first woman carver?
-Mungo Martin’s niece
-carving for the tourist market and
private commissions
-a business owner in the 1950s

Formline Style

invention and variation
among artists was accepted
-apprentice-type training

Tseka

first of two winter cycles of ceremonials which include potlatches. reenact shamanic encounters with other-than-human beingsdenosaunee

Hamat’sa

One of the highest-ranked Tseka dances is the hamat’sa, or cannibal dance; a dance to initiate new members into the Hamat’sa society. Male initiates above, in the wild or cannibalistic state

Yek

a vision quest to gather spirit helpers

Relocation Program 1950s

Extreme poverty of the Inuit in northern Canadian territories. Decline of the fur trade, poor hunting. The government sets up permanent settlements; it encourages, sometimes coerces. Inuit relocation to them

James Houston

1948-1949 Houston – a writer and artist on a painting trip. Visits Inukjuak (Port Harrison) on Hudson Bay. Becomes interested in small stone carvings, collects some. Takes them back to Montreal

Stonecut Prints

Printing was introduced by Houston and other non-Inuit artists/teachers. Inspired by Japanese woodcut printing techniques. Long-standing graphic/drawing practices, as well as stone/bone/wood. Sculpture practices make stonecut prints seem “traditional” while also modern.

Kelek (Inviting-Fest)

The final winter ceremony is most closely associated with masks. Orchestrated by the village shaman. A festival to get the hunters ready for a new season. Singing of songs to honor the animals and call them out, accompanied by performances of masked dancers.

Inua

The term for bladder contained the essence or soul of the animal.

Amat

pouch in hood for infant

Kiniq

V-form front apron

Aesthetic

a set of principles underlying and guiding the work of a particular artist or artistic movement.

Bow Drill

Pictographic style. Sketch-like, shorthand. Symbolic, not concerned with
naturalistic (like nature) details, Subjects. Representing hunting tallies, or common. Activities, like a diary.

Performance Art

Oka Crisis