Mauweema Trading Company - Contemporary and Traditional American Indian Crafts

In the old days, Native American tribes often gathered for council, discussion, and planned battle strategies in an open forum. Order was kept at these events so as to allow everyone present to express their ideas or grievances in an orderly manner. To help accomplish this, a venerated object was employed known as the Talking Stick. Gatherings were usually organized in the form of a sacred circle and the Talking Stick was passed around from person to person. Only the person holding the stick was allowed to sit or stand and speak their mind. It was said that only the heart felt truth could be spoken while holding it.

These special objects were made from sticks that were gathered with great care and consideration. From inception to completion, its creator was said to have been guided by a shammanic journey or vision. Such visions directed its creator to adorn or paint the Talking Stick with elaborate designs and colors. Feathers, shells, beads, stones and crystals dangled from wood, bone or antler, enhancing the stick's significance.

Mauweema Trading Company's Talking Sticks are made from carefully selected natural native driftwood. The driftwood is gathered from secluded, pristine beaches of the Pacific Northwest. Wood such as native coast redwood, madrone, white alder, cedar, willow, fur and pine are chosen because of their unique shape, size, color and natural beauty. Each Talking Stick is thoughtfully detailed and decorated.

The leather is elkskin or deerskin. The fur may include rabbit, racoon, mink, ermine, fox, coyote, etc., as well as recycled fur. The feathers are all legal and may include parrot, turkey, pheasant, chicken, duck, dove, etc. Some feathers have hand painted designs. The shells may include abalone, clam, snail, oyster, limpet, mussel, etc. The beads are of glass, pearl, dentalia, bone, brass, copper, or semi-precious stones. The wood is madrone, alder, cedar, juniper, fur, pine, manzanita, etc., and much of it has come to us in the form of driftwood. Sometimes horse hair is used.