1. Native North American Culture and Art
Portraits of Select Native (North) American Aboriginal Peoples

2. 10 Regions broken down into 5 general regions

3. Native North American

4. General characteristics
North America’s aboriginals most likely migrated from North Asia to the Americas on a land bridge … what is now the Bering Strait.

5. Native Spirituality
Traditional Native American ceremonial ways can vary widely, and are based on the differing histories and beliefs of individual tribes, clans and bands
Most native peoples were animistic in belief
the ​belief that all ​natural things, (such as ​plants, ​animals, etc.), have ​spirits and can ​influence ​human ​events

6. #1 ~ Arctic Region
Coastal area between northeast Siberia and eastern Greenland
Inuit peoples

7. Arctic Inuit Art Few opportunities for artistic pursuits … obviously
Art more functional
Importance attached to animals they relied on
Seal, walrus, fish, whale, caribou
Also represented are wolf, bear, fox,

8. Arctic cont… Ivory engraving
Walrus tusks
Pictorial kind of writing telling of everyday life

9. Arctic Inuit masks Inuit art created to serve religious purposes
Annual ceremonies Warding off evil spirits
Theatrics and intimidation
Inuit masks
Inuit art created to serve religious purposes
For ceremonial dances (shaman)

10. #2 ~ Northwest Coast Region
Vast area
Divided into different regions
For food these Native tribes depended on supply of fish
Endless lumber supply from old forests provided material for boats and homes
Food from plants and game in forests as well

11. Northwest cont…
Due to plentiful resources, more time devoted to rituals and art
Hamatsa mask
Worn in rituals to initiate new members, pacify spirits, demonstrate powers
Moveable pieces
Surprise, intimidating

12. Northwest Canoes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_HOla2FjFE Potlatch
Ceremonial feast
Whole clan event
Exhibiting wealth and status by offering a lot of food and gifts to guests

13. Northwest
Totem Poles
Tall posts carved of wood and painted
Series of animal symbols associated with a particular family or clan
Meant as a form of identification, importance and spiritual sig.