Early Impacts and Influence of European Colonizers

Traditionally, Ojibwe crafted objects generally served very functional purposes. Beginning in the early days of interaction with Europeans, there was immediate outsider interest in these crafts, and they were brought home often as gifts. Overtime, possession of such crafted objects became a status symbol of travel, leading to the emergence of a culture of collection. As a market opened for objects that were small and portable “souvenirs”, the objects inherently changed to meet the demands of what would sell. This commonly included small quill boxes, dream catchers, pouches/purses, model birch bark canoes etc.(Philips). As soon as these objects were sold, their representations were no longer under Ojibwe control, and came to have other layers of meaning embedded within them(Oberholtzer). 

Through trading with Europeans, new materials became readily available that Ojibwe craft makers began to utilize, fusing aspects of European culture into Ojibwe practices and creating new unique ways of creation. The most influential new material was beads. Traditionally, the Ojibwe used seed beads in their crafting, however they were used sparingly, generally just to make outlines or borders. When the new trade beads were introduced they became popular, giving way to the unique practices of Ojibwe beadwork that we see today(Whiteford). As beadwork grew to be more widespread, it began being used to decorate all sorts of things including the bandolier bag you see here(Johnson).

Today, Ojibwe beadwork as well as other artforms often portray floral patterns, a unique and distinguishing aspect Ojibwe art. Before contact with Europeans, Ojibwe patterns were commonly geometric. It is still debated whether floral patterns were introduced by Europeans or existed beforehand, however it was in the late 1700s that floral patterns became widely used(Johnson). Regardless of whether the origins of floral patterns are European, the Ojibwe made it their own unique practice and a distinguishing aspect of their culture.