Part 1: Take some time to explore the Internet and discover some good examples of beautiful art created by talented First Nations Artists
Take notice of the motifs, shapes, and use of color
If you are like me, you will unfortunately discover that many of the artists are not clearly identified (An increasingly unfortunate occurrence on the Internet). But do try your best.
Choose wisely as eventually one of the pieces you find will be used to help you demonstrate your understanding of how to use the Pen Tool to trace images.
Joe Wilson, Native Artist
Glen Rabena, Northwest Coast Native Artist
What is the possible meaning of colours in aboriginal art and totem poles?
White:
skies and spacious heavens
purity, peace, and death
sharing
Red:
blood, war, or valor / bravery
energy
life and faith
faith, beauty and happiness
often appears in nature, part of animal such as the tongue
Blue:
water: rivers, waters, and lakes
skies
mountains in the distance
stands for sincerity and happiness
wisdom and intuition
confidence
Yellow:
the sun, bringing light and happiness
knowledge and courage
Orange:
kinship
intellect and determination
Green:
the earth with its hills, trees, and mountains
nature, harmony, and healing
endurance and vision
Purple:
symbols of a reverent or sacred nature
mountains in the distance and general conventionalized signs
What do the four colours on the medicine wheel mean?
The following points are based on a combination of discussions found repeatedly on the Internet:
The number four is sacred for many Indigenous people. It connects humans with the natural world
Different tribes and nations interpret the Medicine Wheel differently, but is widely accepted as symbol of life, specifically, the 'Circle of Life'.
In many cases, the circle also implied infinity and the beauty of balance.
Each of the sections is typically represented by a distinctive color, such as black, red, yellow, and white. My research found that blue, green, and brown were also common for some groups.
The Directions often represent:
Four Directions: East, South, West, and North
Stages of life: birth, youth / growth, adult (or elder) / maturity, death
Seasons of the year: spring, summer, winter, fall
Times of day: sunrise, noon, sunset, midnight
Aspects of life: spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical
Elements of nature: fire (or sun), air (or wind), water, and earth
Animals: Eagle, Bear, Wolf, Buffalo and many others
Ceremonial plants: tobacco, sweet grass, sage, cedar
Heavenly Beings: Sun, Moon, Earth, and the Stars
Concepts of life, continuity, consciousness, energy
Races of Man: Red, Yellow, Black, White
Trials of Man: Success, Defeat, Peace, War
Resources:
University of Regina Article: Click Here Source: https://www.uregina.ca/science/biology/people/faculty-research/gendron-fidji/documents-fidj/Medicine-Wheel-Booklet.pdf