Keywords: Wampum
Item 7536
Wampum beads, East Machias, ca. 1000
Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: circa 1000 Location: East Machias Media: Shell
Item 10927
Mary Mitchell Selmore, Pleasant Point, 1901
Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: circa 1901 Location: Eastport; Pleasant Point Media: Photographic print
Exhibit
Holding up the Sky: Wabanaki people, culture, history, and art
Learn about Native diplomacy and obligation by exploring 13,000 years of Wabanaki residence in Maine through 17th century treaties, historic items, and contemporary artworks—from ash baskets to high fashion. Wabanaki voices contextualize present-day relevance and repercussions of 400 years of shared histories between Wabanakis and settlers to their region.
Exhibit
Dressing Up, Standing Out, Fitting In
Adorning oneself to look one's "best" has varied over time, gender, economic class, and by event. Adornments suggest one's sense of identity and one's intent to stand out or fit in.
Site Page
"… written language of the English as compared with wampum protocols and verbal agreements of the Wabanaki led to confusion and to deliberate…"
Story
Wampum Belts
by Donald Soctomah
My great grandfather was a wampum keeper
