AART 110: Anishinaabe Art – Introduction to the Sewing Machine
These courses present students with the opportunity to learn and appreciate the arts of the
Anishinaabe, and to learn about the physical and cultural environment from which indigenous
materials were gathered for the making of artistic items. Classes will be determined by which
Anishinaabe artists are available to teach.
Goal Area: 6.1, 6.2 & 6.3 Prerequisite: None
Institutional Outcomes: 3a & 5a
AART 121: Anishinaabe Art – Beading (3 Credits)
These courses present students with the opportunity to learn and appreciate the arts of the
Anishinaabe, and to learn about the physical and cultural environment from which indigenous
materials were gathered for the making of artistic items. Classes will be determined by which
Anishinaabe artists are available to teach.
Goal Area: 6.1, 6.2 & 6.3 Prerequisite: None
Institutional Outcomes: 3a & 5a
AART 125: Anishinaabe Art: Birch Bark and Geometry (3 Credits)
This course explores the geometric principles embedded in Native American art and traditional
birch bark creations. Students will analyze symmetrical transformations, relationships within
circles, and fractal patterns found within Anishinaabe art. Through hands-on quillwork
projects, students will apply geometric concepts to create their own designs inspired by
Anishinaabe artistry. Discussions will include the cultural significance of these patterns and
their connection to mathematical reasoning. This course is suitable for students who have no
or little experience with quillwork.
Goal Area: 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 & 6.5 Prerequisite: None
Institutional Outcomes: 1a, 3a, 3b, 5b
AART 131 Contemporary Native American Sewing (3 Credits)
You have an opportunity to attend a feast or ceremony. Join your classmates here at the college
for those feasts and ceremonies. Now you have the questions of, “What do I bring? What do I
wear? What do I do?” Classroom discussions will include ceremonial etiquette. This class will
answer those questions and teach you the basics of sewing items you may need for ceremony. You
will learn to sew a blanket top, put ribbon on a store-bought shirt, make a shawl and sew a vest.
This will make your involvement in ceremonies a more comfortable experience.
Goal Area: 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 & 6.5 Prerequisite: None
Institutional Outcomes: 2a, 3a, 3b & 5a
AART 132: Traditional Native American Sewing (3 Credits)
Our community often feasts or holds ceremonies. You may have questions about what to wear.
You might also question what to do. Classroom discussion will include ceremonial etiquette that
will help you understand these questions, along with how to sew various articles used during a
feast and ceremony. This course will teach you the steps in how to make a ribbon skirt, a ribbon
shirt, a sweat lodge dress and bags. Students will learn to measure, cut, and assemble a pattern for
each project. Sewing these items will make your involvement in ceremonies a more comfortable
experience. The only prerequisite is your willingness to try new things.
Goal Area: 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 & 6.5 Prerequisite: None
Institutional Outcomes: 2b, 3b & 5b
AART 133: Anishinaabe Art – Regalia Making (3 Credits)
Regalia Making is an avenue of healing and connecting with community. You will construct
regalia in your chosen dance style while expressing yourself in the design and applique used.
“The only limitation is your imagination.” This class allows you to let the creative juices flow.
Goal Area: 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5 Prerequisite: None
Institutional Outcomes: 2a, 3a, 3b & 5a
AART 140: Anishinaabe Art – Introduction to Quill on Birch Bark (3 Credits)
Introduction to Quillwork on Birchbark teaches students the Woodlands style of Quillwork on
Birchbark as well as the history of the art form, processing raw materials; making and working with
tools; and creating quillwork art pieces through learning a variety of basic design techniques. This
course is best suited for students who have no, and/or a basic understanding of the art of
Quillwork. *Students will be required to work with a Gaag (porcupine) carcass.
Goal Area: 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5 Prerequisite: None
Institutional Outcomes: 1a, 2a, 3a, 3b, 5a
AART 221: Anishinaabe Art – Off-Loom Beading (3 Credits)
In this course, we will learn various off-loom bead weaving techniques. We will learn the
following: 1) peyote stitch, 1a.) Flat even-count peyote stitch for bracelets, rings, or chokers,
1b.) Tubular peyote stitch for keychains, lanyards, necklaces, 2) spiral stitch, 3) St. Petersburg
stitch, and 4) other stitches as skill level and time allows.
Goal Area: 6.1, 6.2 & 6.3 Prerequisite: None
Institutional Outcomes: 2a, 3a, 3b & 5a