Wendat Arts in Diplomacy and Trade: An Indigenous World View and the Preservation of Traditional Culture
This article explores the artisan work of nineteenth-century Wendat women artists in the larger context of Wendat visual arts traditions. In addition to commercial souvenir wares, this article discusses the artwork made for ceremonial and special events, which had an equally important value to the community. These two categories of artistic production demonstrate how Wendat women adapted their artistic traditions to the economic and diplomatic spheres of the colonial environment, and with great success. Through these arts, the Wendat community maintained an Indigenous worldview and preserved cultural traditions that continued through generations, at the same time integrating creative innovations. This discussion also shows the important diplomatic role played by Wendat visual arts, presented to Euro-Canadian and European dignitaries in a ceremonial context, to establish and maintain harmonious political and economic relations.