Wendat Women's Arts

Wendat First Nation women artists of Wendake, Quebec, have created intricate designs in moosehair and quill embroidery for centuries, recording ancestral knowledge and transmitting it across generations. Annette de Stecher's book, Wendat Womens Arts, is the first to document the history of this art form, highlighting the women's central role in community history and ceremony. Their embroidery was used in diplomatic strategies to advance their nation's sovereignty and was also a source of economic support for the community. The book showcases the rich repertoire of Wendat embroidery now dispersed in collections worldwide, demonstrating the women's cultural strength, innovation, resilience, and success.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2022
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press

For centuries, the women artists of the Wendat First Nation of Wendake in Quebec have been creating artworks of intricate design and profound meaning through the art of moosehair and quill embroidery. Their work serves as a testament to the transmission of ancestral knowledge across generations of artists, preserving and revitalizing this vibrant and essential practice.

Breaking new ground in the realm of Indigenous art histories, Wendat Womens Arts is a groundbreaking publication that offers a comprehensive account of the Wendat embroidery art form. In her compelling argument, Annette de Stecher challenges the historical anonymity of Indigenous women artists, asserting their central role in community history and ceremony. Through their artistic expressions, these women played a significant part in advancing the sovereignty of their nation, extending their authority within their families and clans. Chiefs and community members adorned themselves with finely embroidered attire, creating a brilliant focal point for ceremonial events that continue to this day. Moreover, women artists not only enriched their community culturally but also contributed to its economic well-being by producing embroidery that became sought-after souvenirs for European collectors.

In vibrant illustrations, this book reconstructs the rich repertoire of Wendat embroidery, now dispersed in collections worldwide. Wendat Womens Arts seamlessly blends a depth of historical understanding with a deep appreciation for contemporary Wendat artists, showcasing the remarkable story of Wendat women as one of cultural strength, innovation, resilience, and success.

Weight: 1430g
Dimension: 237 x 289 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228010678