Bay Mills Indian Community 2

 
Director: 
unknown
Run Time: 
0:46:18

Establishing shot:
Named locations: Bay Mills Indian Community (BMIC) in Michigan state, Chippewa County, known in Ojibwe as Gnoozhekaaning or Place of the Pike, is an Indian Reservation forming the land base of one of the many Sault Ste. Marie bands of Chippewa Indians. The BMIC was one of the four original reservations established in Michigan, established after the passing of the Indian Reservation Act in 1934. According to the 2000 Census BMIC consists of approximately 1,309 registered members. BMIC is governed by the General Tribal Council, which consists of all voting-age members of the tribe. Daily decisions are made by the Executive Council, which consists of a president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary, councilman, all elected.
Major themes covered:  culture and history
Native activities shown:  Bill Palmer explains artistic procedures for woodcarving.

Individuals Named:  Bill Palmer, Norval Morrisseau, Herman E. Cameron (President of the General Tribal Council of Bay Mills Indian Community)
Native language spoken:N/A
Audible:  N/A
Noteworthy elements: 
Bill Palmer continues on from the interview in Bay Mills Indian Community 1, describing the art of woodcarving and the patience required to progress creatively in woodcarving. Palmer explains procedures for wood carving starting with drawing then transferring drawing to wood, then carving. He gives great detail on animal carving, but includes flora and fauna. Palmer adds detail to framing and speaks of the difference between realistic representation and stylized representations in woodcarving. Palmer also talks about the importance of knowing the tribes around you live and that he reads quite a bit on Ojibwa history and knows more of their history than his own nation, the Oneida Nation. Palmer compares the support Indian artists get from Canada and the United States.

Other notes:  Bill Palmer's interview continues from Bay Mills Indian Community 1, where he expounds further on his art and art business. 16 minutes into the filming the sound is replaced by technical humming and picks up with interview of Herman E. Cameron at 17 minutes.

Publications, websites, resource links:

http://www.baymills.org/

http://www.baymillsnews.com/

 http://www.norvalmorrisseau.com/

 http://thorpe.ou.edu/IRA/michbaychrt.html

Cross-reference to other AIFG films: Fred MacDonald Film #323, Bay Mills Indian Community #1.

 

--Kari Quiballo, 2012