Native American Medicine Pouches

The 4th grade students are learning about Native Americans in connection with utilitarian art, objects of art that are created to serve a purpose.  Common objects such as pottery used for cooking, and textile works used as rugs or for carrying items are examples of utilitarian art objects.  The 4th grade artists will be making Medicine bags in the manner of the Mohawk tribe.
Think of a Medicine Bag as like a sacred purse, a place for the wearer's most secret and valuable items to be kept.  The wearer of the Medicine Bag never shows its contents, however the bag is usually passed down to the next generation.  Traditionally the contents of the Medicine bag represent the four "kingdoms" recognized by the Native Americans: Animal, Plant, Mineral and Technology.

As our fourth grade artists make their own medicine bags and consider what modern items might belong inside, they are being introduced to the Mohawk culture. 

This lesson has been written and taught by our current student teacher, Mrs. Barr.  Her great-grandfather was born a Native American of the Mohawk tribe!