Cultural Heritage: Southeastern Ojibwe Material Culture at the Peabody

The historic facade of the Peabody museum.

Objects, like people, have a life course. They are created, used, and eventually retired or discarded. However, for some objects, their journey doesn't end there. They may be passed down through generations, exchanged or gifted, or even end up in a museum. For our exploration of the movement and evolution of cultural heritage within objects, I chose to focus on the Peabody's collection of Great Lakes artifacts, particularly those related to the Ojibwe, or Chippewa. The objects I selected from the Southeastern Ojibwa exhibit at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology have all had unique life courses that reflect the cultural heritage of the Ojibwa people, and below I have included a map to contextualize the regions from which these objects originated. The map is useful in visualizing the minimization of Ojibwe land across the nineteenth century, specifically between 1836 to 1854. 

Ojibwe Land Ceded, 1836—1854.

Figure 1.

This cradle board with a projecting bow on top and thin bent wood side (Figure 1), for example, was likely used to carry a baby on the Walpole Island Reservation in Ontario. It was crafted with care and attention to detail, indicating the importance of child-rearing and the role of family in Ojibwa culture. At some point, it made its way to the Peabody Museum, where it is now on display for visitors to learn from and appreciate.

Figure 2.

Figure 3.

Similarly, the ladle with animal motifs (Figure 2) and ladle with turtle shell (Figure 3) were made of hard wood and likely used for cooking or serving food. The turtle shell specifically adds an element of symbolism, as the turtle is a sacred animal in Ojibwa culture. These objects were likely passed down through generations, cherished for their functionality and beauty, and now reside in a museum for preservation and education.

Figure 4.

The cedar bark mat (Figure 4) and snowshoes (Figures 5 & 6) are also artifacts that reflect the unique cultural heritage of the Ojibwa people. The checker weave and dyed plaits of the cedar bark mat show a sophisticated weaving technique and attention to detail. The snowshoes, on the other hand, were likely used for hunting and travel in snowy conditions. The absence of metal fasteners on the snowshoes suggests they were made using traditional techniques and materials.

Figure 5.

Figure 6.

These objects have all had a life course that reflects the Ojibwa people's connection to their land, their reliance on natural resources, and their attention to detail and craftsmanship. Their journey from creation to museum display highlights the importance of cultural heritage and the need to preserve and share it with future generations. The Peabody Museum and other museums like it play a critical role in this process by providing a platform for education and appreciation of Native American culture and history.