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Artist-In-Residence Workshop with Kateri Kaminski
July 20, 2022 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Kateri Kaminski’s workshop aims to educate MSHP patrons and art enthusiasts about Trade Silver, how it came into use, where it came from, and the historical impact it had on the Indigenous Peoples and colonies in early North America. Trade silver played an important part in the relationships that were forged between the Indigenous and Europeans.
Afterward a simple demonstration of how Trade Silver was made using basic tools. I will start with a sheet of silver and explain each step of creating a piece of history.
1. Coming to Colonial Michilimackinac
a. Father an interpreter of trade silver
b. Treasures from the Sand exhibit
1. Crosses
2. Rings with paste stones
2. Immersed in the history of 1700’s to 1800’s
a. Jesuit rings
b. Creating social and economical bonds between Native Americans and Europeans through the exchange of
silver/furs.
c. Dutch/French/British and Fur Companies competed for trade dominance
3. Popularity of Silver among Native Americans
a. made exclusively for and used by Native Americans
b. Companies importing silver from Europe
1. Jewelry and Silverware filled most record keeping books
2. London/Ireland/Scotland
3. Women Silversmiths
4. Demand prompted silver being made in North America
a. Leading product by silversmiths from 1780-1820
b. Montreal, Quebec, Philadelphia
c. Designs requested by Native Americans similar to patters already found on leather, bark, shell, stone
5. Popular designs in Trade Silver
a. Brooches
b. Gorgets
c. Bands for arms, legs, hats
d. Earrings – cone and wheels
e. Rings
f. Hair pipes and hair ornaments
6. Decline of Trade Silver
a. Beaver over hunted
b. Government buying Native lands and removing them
c. Natives leaving old hunting grounds/moving out of the area
d. Fur companies selling or quitting
1. American Fur Company on Mackinaw Island shut down in 1854. Great Lakes fur trade ended that year
Mackinac has long been an inspiration for artists. Join Mackinac State Historic Parks’ Artist-in-Residence for a free workshop at the Station 256 Conference Room, located above the Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center. This is a free event.
