Onieda Nation Clay Turtles

This was another project done with my artist in resident from the Oneida Nation Native American Tribe. The first day students concentrated only on building techniques. We really emphasized quality craftsmanship in making the pinch pot, and using proper attachment techniques when attaching the limbs and head. The second day the artist talked about the different symbolism used in Oneida artwork Students were to incorporate those designs onto the shell of the turtle. The turtle represents great importance in the Oneida culture. There are 3 different clans in the Oneida, Wolf, Bear, and Turtle. Our artist was from the Turtle clan. The Oneida also refer to North America as Turtle Island...there is a great story that goes along with this that our artist told my classes while they worked. To summarize it, the story tells of how Sky Woman fell from the sky onto Earth which was all water at the time. She landed on a turtle that saved her. She danced and spinned on the turtle's back and as she did this the turtle's shell began to grow and grow and grow until it became a vast land- North America.