COPPER gorget with 2 Turtles and centered Métis symbol

This is a new hand-wrought (Hand chased and repoussé) gorget – ‘anaskamôn’ in Western Abenaki. The metal is copper ‘wisôwahlagw’ coated with  Everbrite™ protection on the front surface so it will not tarnish easily. The Infinity “figure 8” is the longtime symbol of the Métis used for over 200 years to signify the bringing together of the peoples from over the ocean the ‘Awenots’ or “Who Are They” people in Abenaki and the ‘Alnôbak’ or “Ordinary Humans” Indigenous to North America.    This reminds us of the new “race” of people created here in the past 500 years. The turtles are for continents this time Europe and North America – the great Turtle Island ‘Tolba Menahan’ as they come together here.  The double curves and “fiddle head” medicine ‘Mide’ plant designs become canoes traveling around carrying the healing plants to help protect.  Copper – when wet turns green ‘askaskwigan’ which represents life as in growing plants.  Copper has been more valuable to North American peoples than silver or gold because it represents life, renewal and healing.  The necklace part is shell  “hair pipes” and copper and white heart blue beads (for the waters and berries) strung on imitation sinew. All original work by Paul-René and signed in the design with the Sunrise Drum mark.

It is 6″ x 3″ and will not tarnish on the front.