Jewelry - Vermont Abenaki Artists Association

Linda Longtoe Sheehan

Enrolled Citizen of the Elnu Abenaki Tribe

Juried Artist since 2013

Image of Linda Longtoe Sheehan. — Linda Longtoe Sheehan

Linda Longtoe Sheehan’s specialty is wampum. She is known affectionately as “Wampum Woman.” She started making wampum belts over thirty years ago and passed her knowledge onto countless young people.

Linda makes wampum belts and jewelry from glass beads, mother of pearl and quahog. Her beadmaking starts with a quahog shell. She cuts it to size and shapes it. Then she weaves her wampum belts using braintanned leather.

Linda learned brain tanning from Mark Humpel, who hosts an annual braintanning weekend. Unfortunately, due to a disability she can no longer make braintan leather herself so she is passing this tradition on to students. In the winter months, Linda teaches them how to scrape the deer hides; soak them in the braintan solution; stretch and dry the hides; and work them until they are soft. Then she cuts it into long strips. Each hide takes about 50 hours.

She has done demonstrations at museums and historic sites throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States. Her work was even requested by the Presidents protocol office.

Artist Statement

I have been designing and making wampum belts, wrist bands, necklaces, bracelets and earrings for over 30 years;. I work with real Quahog, glass and mother of pearl wampum beads. My work has been on display at the Institute for American Indian studies and at Johnson Hall (historic site).

During the winter months, I also make my own brain tan leather which I use for to weave my belts.

Although I specialize in wampum, I also do Traditional finger weaving, eastern center seam moccasins, Quillwork and I twine.

Contact

Address: RR 30 Box 261

Email: [email protected]

Website: Back To The Moose Robe

Image of wampum seen at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. — Wampum

Image of wampum earrings made by Linda Longtoe Sheehan. — Wampum

Image of wampum bracelet made by Linda Longtoe Sheehan. — Wampum bracelet

Image of eagle wampum belt. — Eagle Wampum Belt

Exhibits (select list)

2009 to present

Contact of Cultures, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT

2017-2018

Alnobak: Wearing Our Heritage (traveling exhibit). Vermont Abenaki Artists Association and Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.

2015

Parley and Protocol: Abenaki Diplomacy Past and Present. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Vergennes, VT.

2014

Traditional Sources, Contemporary Visions – Invitational Group Art Exhibit. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
All My Relations: Faces and Efficacies from the Native World – Invitational Group Art Exhibit. Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, Warner, NH

2013

Featured Artist, Institute for American Indian Studies, Washington, CT
Demonstrator. Ft. at # 4, Charleston, NH

Presentations & Demos (select list)

2013

Demonstrator. Ft. at # 4, Charleston, NH
Annual Native American Weekend, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes,VT
Abenaki Encampment, “Jamaica Old Home Days,” Salmon Hole, Jamaica, VT

2012

Annual Native American Weekend, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
Demonstrator. Ft. at # 4, Charleston, NH
Abenaki Encampment, “Jamaica Old Home Days,” Salmon Hole, Jamaica, VT

2011

Annual Native American Weekend, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
Speaking To The Ancestors Abenaki Gathering, ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center/Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, VT
Abenaki Encampment, “Jamaica Old Home Days,” Salmon Hole, Jamaica, VT
Demonstrator. Native American Month Presenter. University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

2010

Annual Native American Weekend, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
Abenaki Encampment, “Jamaica Old Home Days,” Salmon Hole, Jamaica, VT

2009

Vermont Indigenous Celebration. ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center/Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, VT
Abenaki Encampment, “Jamaica Old Home Days,” Salmon Hole, Jamaica, VT

2008

Annual Native American Weekend, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
Abenaki Encampment, “Jamaica Old Home Days,” Salmon Hole, Jamaica, VT

2007

Annual Native American Weekend, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
Abenaki Encampment, “Jamaica Old Home Days,” Salmon Hole, Jamaica, VT

Film & Radio

Reger, Deborah. Moccasin Tracks . Recorded . WGDR 91.1 FM
Schulmeisters, Lina L. “Artisan Spotlight: Linda Longtoe.” Askawobi Productions, 2012

Affiliations

Woodland Confederacy

Vermont Abenaki Artists Association

Jon Manitouabe8ich

Enrolled Citizen of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation

Juried Artist since 2015

Jon Manitouabe8ich is a well-known graphic artist and musician with a heart for serving the Native community. His creative and unique style of art is sought by many businesses and organizations for designing logos and advertising for marketing campaigns. As a musician, he and his band create a variety of music in many different languages – an artistic approach that causes his music to be appealing to a wide range of interests.

Jon is now working on refining his skills in jewelry-making as well as crafting other types of Native American items. His strong desire to hold to the customs of his family is evident by all he does.

Jon Manitouabe8ich is also a writer. With six books published at Éditions Kizos, the writing work has taken up much of his interest and time. Literary essay, initiatory novel, tales, the collection grows from year to year. You can find the links on his Facebook page.

Artist Statement

I’ve been creating art since I was born. My parents taught me the basic techniques and I quickly develop my own work methods. I studied graphic design in which I hold a diploma. Since then I make my living in art.

In addition to this work, I also create music. In 2007, I founded the music band called Black Lizards. I have a recording studio so I can create music with other amazing artist. In this circle everyone is equal and I refused to take center stage. My vision is that each one of us is a part of a circle and nothing is possible without each other. Our music has no particular style. The songs are written in different languages so that everyone feels comfortable. Since the beginning of the adventure with the Black Lizards, I had the chance to invite several artists to participate to share the same vision of Love, Compassion and Gratitude.

The earth is loaned to us and we need to improve it as a legacy to our children. It is only trough the transmission of values such as respect for others that we will find balance in this world so that we may live in harmony. These values that we teach others must come from within ourselves.

Image of graphic design poster by Jon Manitouabe8ich.

Red Urban Project logo

Books

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.soundcloud.com/black-lizards

Facebook: www.facebook.com/blacklizardsofficial

www.facebook.com/manitouabe8ichart

John Hunt

Enrolled Citizen of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation

Juried Artist since 2016

John Hunt grew up in the farm country of Vermont. When he was young, his father would tell him about his native heritage and about how their ancestors had lived. John enjoyed imaging how it was long, long ago as well as how his grandfathers lived more recently. He saw how life used to be made up of your own two hands. Whether it was tools needed for farming or hunting or things you would need around the house like bowls and baskets it all had to be made by someone’s skilled hands.

This inspired John to have a relationship to life like his family had always had. To know how to make what he needed from the land around him. When he looked back at many of the tools of our ancestors, he saw they were created not only to be functional but beautiful as well. He was inspired by that way of being and has chosen to live his life in that way. Though he has tried and practiced many art forms, he has focused most on carving, basketry, and pyrography.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I have been creating art since I was a child, but since the age of 18, it has become a very strong focus in my life. Though I have never had one primary teacher, I have learned through many people over the years as well as through my own personal practice.

Carving: For my carving, I use many types of wood. For kitchen utensils, I like to use a hardwood like black walnut,

Image of gourd bowls with corn. — _{Picture courtesy of Diane Stevens. Gourd bowls with corn.}

black cherry, apple, maple, etc. and for more figure/ sculpture carving I use soft woods like white pine or cedar.

Basketmaking: My family members were basket makers that sold their wares around northern VT. However, there is no longer anyone in my direct family practicing this art, so I have sought out many different teachers over the years. Though I haven’t formally studied with anyone, I have spent time with many different basket makers around Vermont. I primarily make bark and willow baskets. For the willow, I gather from a few locations by my home that grows nice long rods, and I tend these patches. For my bark baskets, I prefer pine, and I keep my eye out for trees that have fallen over during the winter and peel their bark in the spring.

To create my art, I use modern hand tools. However, I gather all of my materials from the natural world. My art is an expressive outlet for me and a connection to my ancestors. I really enjoy making things that have a function as a spoon but going beyond function and giving it a unique beauty. I find inspiration for my crafts in nature around me. I try to have my crafts showcase and lead to the innate majesty of the plants, animals, and elements.

Pyrography: Over the last several years, I have studied traditional Wabanaki designs and the images I see in nature. From these studies, I create my designs. I grow the gourds that I use and gather soft woods for my pyrography.

Image of spruce and bark baskets. — _{Spruce and bark baskets. Picture courtesy of Diane Stevens.}

Image of cranberry and skunk bean necklace — _{Handmade true Vermont cranberry and skunk bean necklace. Picture courtesy of Diane Stevens.}

Image of handmade wooden spoons. — _{Handmade wooden spoons. Picture courtesy of Diane Stevens.}

Contact Info

Email: [email protected]

MUSEUMS AND EXHIBITS

Currently
Part of the permanent collection of Abenaki Cultural items at the Burlington International Airport, Vermont.

2017
Alnobak: Wearing Our Heritage. Traveling Exhibit. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum

AFFILIATIONS

Vermont Abenaki Artists Association

Jim Taylor

Enrolled Citizen of the ELNU ABENAKI TRIBE

Juried Artist since 2013

Image of Jim Taylor. — _{Jim Taylor – Photo courtesy of Adam Sings in the Timber}

I am a Tribal Councilman and citizen of the Elnu Abenaki Tribe of Southern Vermont which recently was granted State Recognition after years of battling with both the State & Federal Governments. I also descend from the Eastern Cherokee my Fathers people who reside in Kentucky.

Artist, Eastern Quillworker, & Wampum, I have been involved with various art forms since I was a small child, with the help from my recently deceased maternal Aunt she fostered the talent the Creator blessed us both with.

I am currently employed as a Graphic Designer designing Police, Fire, Federal, & International Law Enforcement badges; for past 28 years.

I currently reside in Rhode Island with my wife Claudine and two daughters, Ashley age 22 and Jillian age 16 along with our Golden Retriever Abby. My Tribal duties in Vermont do take me away from home many weekends throughout the year which my wife is very understanding. The many reasons are is it’s what’s needed to build a better future for the next 7 generations of my people; I thank her and my 2 girls for their patience and understanding.

I have been doing Eastern style quillwork for the past 26 years along with other various native related beadwork and crafts and most recently learning how to create wampum beads from quahog & whelk shells. My quill work began when I became more involved with Living History/ Native Interpreting at French & Indian Living History events. The Abenaki played an important role as Allies with the French during that period. As I became more proficient, my quillwork became more sought after by other Living History people as well as other Native people.

My quillwork has been featured in numerous articles and magazines & books; also my work has been displayed in the Mingei International Museum of Folk Art in San Diego, CA, and currently I have an Underwater Panther bag on permanent display in the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, NY. My work has also have been in various local Art shows in RI as well.

I hope to continue doing quill work and to become more proficient in the wampum bead work as well, my hope is to pass this onto future generations of youth within my tribe along with possibly getting future grants to allow me to travel west to Washington State to share how to do quillwork and wampum making with Native Artists in the Communities there with the hope of learning some of their traditional crafts like Cedar Hat making and Cedar carving to share with my tribe Elnu and others here on the East Coast.

Future work:

I am currently trying to organize a Multi-Eastern Tribal Canoe Journey on the Connecticut River beginning at its head waters in Canada to where it spills out into Long Island Sound. This Journey will be mirrored to the same one held annually out west in Washington by the Salish Coastal peoples. My hope is that this will be a Journey to inspire our youth to make them stronger physically, mentally as well as spiritually; this will be a journey for ALL ages. We along with others here in New England hope to have a smaller version to start with by sometime next year; I urge all eastern peoples / Tribes to contact us if they are interested in being part of this hopefully Annual event. We can be reached via Facebook at Kwinitekw Canoe Journey https://www.facebook.com/groups/248209231873305/ or my Email at [email protected]

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Website: Quillwork by Swift Fox

Image of quillwork detail on bag by Jim Taylor. — _{Detailed quillwork on bag}

Image of carved bone combs made by Jim Taylor. — _{Carved bone combs}

Image of quilled knife sheath and bag. — _{Quilled knife sheath and bag}

Image of wampum pendant. — _{Wampum Pendant}

Exhibits

2017

Alnobak: Wearing Our Heritage. Traveling Exhibit. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.

2016

Parley and Protocol: Abenaki Diplomacy Past and Present. Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Farmington, PA.

2015

Parley and Protocol: Abenaki Diplomacy Past and Present. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Vergennes, VT.

2014

First Light: Native American Artists from New England, The Flanagan Campus Art Gallery, RI
Traditional Sources, Contemporary Visions – Invitational Group Art Exhibit. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Vergennes, VT
All My Relations: Faces and Effigies from the Native World – Invitational Group Art Exhibit. Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, Warner, NH

2013

Like Breathing: Native American Beading and Quillwork. Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, Warner, NH

2012

Quilled Underwater Panther Bag. American Museum of Natural History, NYC, NY

2000

Arrow of the Spirit. Mingei International Museum, San Diego, CA

Publications

Jones, Paul R. “Quillworkers 2: The Tradition Continues.” Muzzleloader, Nov/Dec 1999, 40
Dubin, Lois Sherr. North American Indian Jewelry and Adornment: From Prehistory to Present Concise Edition, Harry N Abrams Incorporated, NYC, NY. 2003. 71

Affiliations

Vermont Abenaki Artists Association
Woodland Confederacy

Jean Burbo

Enrolled Citizen of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation

Juried Artist since 2016

Jean Burbo is an enrolled citizen of the Nulhegan Abenaki Tribe. She was raised in an atmosphere where art was prevalent. Both her mother and father were artists. Her mother taught arts and crafts to both adults and children. As a result, Jean learned many skills at a very young age. Jean lives in Connecticut, not far from the ocean, with her husband and her “fur baby.” Because she is now retired, she is able to devote much time to her art. She says, “Making art is so relaxing to me. When I’m touching the shells or stringing the beads, I’m taken away to another world. Sometimes, I feel like I am sitting with my Ancestors and sharing my time with them.”

She makes both traditional and contemporary styles of jewelry. Her favorite making chokers and bracelets with hornpipe. While walking on the beach near the ocean, Jean enjoys finding wampum shells and incorporating those found items in her creations. She also uses leather, as well as glass, wooden, and metal beads to finish her work.

Artist Statement

I was born in Massachusetts but was raised in Vermont. My family was connected to Vermont and had been for centuries. I am a member of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation.

As a child, I spent many hours in the woods riding my horse, Cottontail, or walking with my dad while he told me about the beauty and spiritual connection we have with Mother Earth. He would teach me about the responsibility we have to protect and preserve the land. I have never forgotten those teachings, and now they are part of my life.

My ability for making jewelry and crafting came through the teachings of my mother, who was a very talented artist. It seemed like she was always creating something and she would include me; so I learned, at an early age, to enjoy designing jewelry. My jewelry has evolved over the years, and I now include both traditional and contemporary pieces.

Because I believe that wearing traditional clothing and jewelry is in honor of our Ancestors, I always smudge each piece when it is completed. I ask Creator to bless the item as well as the person who will wear it.

Image of quill earrings made by Jean Burbo.

Image of tribal bracelet made by Jean Burbo.

Contact Info

Email: [email protected]

Affiliations

Vermont Abenaki Artists Association