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I used the velvet to make a classic western Great Lakes bandolier bag with Haudenosaunee and Menominee imagery. The Haudenosaunee imagery includes the Tree of Peace with its four white roots reaching out to welcome all nations to sit beneath the Tree. In the middle section I made ten moons using metal sequins to signify October, the month Jim died.
On the strap is the Menominee story representing Jim's journey through the Milky Way, the path for the dead. The stars guide him on his journey through strawberry fields and rivers. Since the dead cannot eat or drink on their journey, we feast and drink for them. When Jim finishes his journey, he can feast and play lacrosse for the rest of his days.
--Karen Ann Hoffman, 2022
Artist
Karen Ann Hoffman
Jim's Medicine Bag
Date2022
DimensionsOverall: 22 × 40 in. (55.9 × 101.6 cm)
Object numberN0004.2023
Credit LineCollection of the Fenimore Art Museum. Museum purchase.
Photograph by Richard Walker.
Label TextThis medicine bag honors Jim Frechette, Jr. (1930-2006), Menominee carver and my relative, mentor, and friend. Jim gifted me this velvet cloth because he knew I would need it to grieve his passing.I used the velvet to make a classic western Great Lakes bandolier bag with Haudenosaunee and Menominee imagery. The Haudenosaunee imagery includes the Tree of Peace with its four white roots reaching out to welcome all nations to sit beneath the Tree. In the middle section I made ten moons using metal sequins to signify October, the month Jim died.
On the strap is the Menominee story representing Jim's journey through the Milky Way, the path for the dead. The stars guide him on his journey through strawberry fields and rivers. Since the dead cannot eat or drink on their journey, we feast and drink for them. When Jim finishes his journey, he can feast and play lacrosse for the rest of his days.
--Karen Ann Hoffman, 2022
On View
On viewca. 1890
ca. 1890
