When I say Native American souvenirs, I am referring not only to their art, which they make for themselves and sometimes sell to outsiders, but the Native American or First Nation’s “artifacts” created by Native Americans or other peoples in the Native American style. In present times these items are considered gauche at best, and demeaning at worst, but they are a part of the interplay between First Nations citizens and the rest of the inhabitants of the Americas.
Native American souvenirs range from the stiffly posed Indian doll to the fanciful war bonnets to the child’s bow and arrows. There are articles of Native American clothing, like moccasins, war shirts, head dresses and war bonnets. There are the complete Native American costume for both children and adults, as imagined by Hollywood. There are toys made in the Native American style, like tepees and canoes, totem poles, bows and arrows, tomahawks. Native American musical instruments like drums, rattles and flutes are made for children and adults. First Nation’s symbols and caricatures are available as souvenir spoons, paperweights, figurines, collector plates and pillow covers. Native American art is available both in its original form and on t-shirts and sweat shirts.
The Native American art, whether as prints or paintings, and the crafts they First Nations make for themselves are a form of Native American souvenir that carries less censure. Jewelry, whether strung or silver-smith creations, reflects the jewelry the citizens of the First Nations wear themselves. Weaving like rugs and sashes are found in their homes as well as at the tourist trade-post. Native American pottery is both useful in their own homes as well as a way to earn money from collectors and passing tourists. Wood carvings, decorated gourds, cast metal statues, leather-work, quilts and bead-work are all crafts the First Nations pursue to decorate and express their identities and traditions that are sold to outsiders to raise money for living expenses, and for which individuals as well as tribes become famous.
Native American souvenirs, whether the older, less politically correct images of the First Nations people and traditions, or the current day arts created for self and tribal expression, can be an interesting American collectibles. Look for these fine art and kitsch items anywhere you go in the Americas, both as new purchases or at resale venues where older items are available. If you already have some of these now less favored items, do not thrown them out, as they are expressions of the misconceptions of the past, and, although embarrassing, parts of our past.
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