Lorelei Livingston’s Sawtooth Elementary third-graders had a great time learning Ojibwe history while creating a very special keepsake—an Ojibwe shoulder bag. (L-R) Front: Trent Spry, Lucy Shaw, Shaelynn Novitsky, Emma Gesch, Paige Everson, Abbie Crawford. Middle: Sam Sietsema, Bianca Zimmer, Mallory Goettl, Adam Dorr, Alyssa Spry, Zach Stirewalt, Haley Richardson-Walberg, Jaymie Kirk, Dominic Wilson. Back: Jessup Schlienz, Chase Bronikowski, Pete Sutton, and A.J. Owens
The third grade class at Sawtooth Mountain Elementary enjoyed learning about Ojibwe artistry and heritage through a special activity in Lorelei Livingston’s class. Students designed their own Ojibwe shoulder bag.
Livingston explained that the bags are different than the traditional Bandolier bags, which were usually worn by men at powwows and other special occasions. Bandolier bags were also worn by tribal leaders at official or diplomatic gatherings, including treaty negotiations.
“The shoulder bags created by the third-graders were intended to introduce young people to Ojibwe culture and history in a fun, interactive way,” said Livingston.
The class used the Ojibwe Shoulder Bag Activity Kit produced by the Minnesota Historical Society. Livingston said the kit comes with preprinted Ojibwe shoulder bags designed by Ojibwe beadworker Cheryl Minnema. The kit also includes an informational DVD and placards with information on the Bandolier bags from the Minnesota Historical Society collection. More about the shoulder bags can be seen at www.mnhs.org/shoulderbag.
Livingston expressed thanks—Miigwech— to Ojibwemowin teacher Thomas Jack and his sixth-period students who assisted the thirdgraders with the project. “A special thank you goes to Nicole Jacobsen, who also helped gather art supplies for this project,” added Livingston.
The Cook County Schools Education Foundation provided a grant to purchase the kits. Enough shoulder bag kits were ordered for next year’s third grade class as well.
They will likely enjoy the project as much as this year’s class. At right, third-grader Madisen Foster shares her thoughts on the project.
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