Ten Original Clans of the Myaamia

Katrina Mitten, Ten Original Clans of the Myaamia, 2016, wool felt with Czech seed beads, pony beads, brass thimbles, polyester tassels, satin ribbon, and cotton liner, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Kenneth R. Trapp Acquisition Fund, 2021.3, © 2016, Katrina Mitten
Katrina Mitten, Ten Original Clans of the Myaamia, 2016, wool felt with Czech seed beads, pony beads, brass thimbles, polyester tassels, satin ribbon, and cotton liner, overall_​1: 41 34 in. × 22 in. × 3 12 in. (106 × 55.9 × 8.9 cm) [variable], Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Kenneth R. Trapp Acquisition Fund, 2021.3, © 2016, Katrina Mitten

Artwork Details

Title
Ten Original Clans of the Myaamia
Date
2016
Dimensions
overall_​1: 41 34 in. × 22 in. × 3 12 in. (106 × 55.9 × 8.9 cm) [variable]
Copyright
© 2016, Katrina Mitten
Credit Line
Museum purchase through the Kenneth R. Trapp Acquisition Fund
Mediums Description
wool felt with Czech seed beads, pony beads, brass thimbles, polyester tassels, satin ribbon, and cotton liner
Classifications
Subjects
  • Indian
Object Number
2021.3

Artwork Description

Katrina Mitten’s beaded bandolier bag depicts the ten original clans of the Miami tribe (called “Myaamia” by its citizens): Golden Eagle, Turkey, Wolf, Loon, Raccoon, Panther, Vulture, Sun, Snow, and Water. The white diamond-and-circle pattern surrounding the pouch references a popular Miami style from the 1830s.

Bandolier bags originated in the nineteenth century with European infantry soldiers, who wore them to carry cartridges at their hips. Native women from tribes in the Great Lakes region began making highly detailed, beaded versions of these bags to be traded and worn by men on ceremonial occasions. Mitten’s contemporary adaptation demonstrates the resilience of the Miami Tribe, showing how, as the artist says, “the Myaamia are a people who are still connected to our history, traditions, and culture.”

Works by this artist (1 item)

Christine Sun Kim, One Week of Lullabies for Roux, 2018, seven tracks, sound, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2020.79.1, © 2018 Christine Sun Kim. Courtesy of the artist and François Ghebaly, Los Angeles
One Week of Lullabies for Roux
Date2018
seven tracks, sound
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Joseph Hardin, Untitled (figure at Table, View of Legs), ca. 1978, colored pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.111
Untitled (figure at Table, View of Legs)
Dateca. 1978
colored pencil on paper
Not on view
William Zorach, (Untitled--Child's Head), 1925, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift from the collection of the Zorach children, 1976.145.8
(Untitled – Child’s Head)
Date1925
pencil on paper
Not on view
Michael Clark, Classic Series, 1970, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Fendrick, 1980.131.3
Classic Series
Date1970
pencil on paper
Not on view
Study for the Pushover
Date1981
pencil on paper
Not on view