Artist

Maker Unknown

Nationality

American Indian (Ojibwe)

Title of Work

Knocking Sticks

Preview

image preview

Medium

Wood, animal skin

Identification #

MCK-22-0004

Height

29

Width

3

Depth

1

Collection/Provenance

UND Art Collections: American Indian Studies Merry Claymore Ketterling Collection

Status

Not on display

Additional Information

Historically a staple of American Indian sustenance, wild rice remains an important food source for some Native peoples. It is most plentiful in the upper regions of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Growing in shallow water of lakes and streams, it is harvested in early autumn. The knocking sticks were utilized during wild rice harvesting season to knock wild rice grains off the plants and into a boat. A birch basket was used for winnowing, a traditional agricultural method for separating grain from chaff.

Condition

Very good

Condition Notes

Aging

Rights

Images are provided for educational purposes only and may not be reproduced for commercial use. Images may be protected by artist copyright. A credit line is required to be used for any public non-commercial educational purpose. The credit line must include, “Image courtesy of the University of North Dakota.”

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