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North-South-East-West: American Indians and the Natural World Surviving Creatively: A New Art Form
Niagara Falls was the first and foremost American tourist attraction of the nineteenth century. European and American tourists of all ages, particularly honeymooners, flocked to see the spectacle of the Falls. After the War of 1812, Tuscarora women were granted the exclusive rights to sell their beadwork at Niagara Falls by the American family who owned the land. The Porter family made this offer in gratitude for the Tuscarora's service during the war and for saving the life of a family member. The Victorian tastes of the tourists determined what types of items the artists made and how they made them. Many of the novelties were destined for cozy corners which were popular in Victorian homes. Once considered Indian-made curiosities, these works are now considered an expression of Native identity and a source of pride. Image 1: Moccasins Image 2: Bag |
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In the nineteenth century, the Iroquois searched for alternative
sources of income. A diminishing land base and the depletion of
game and fur-bearing animals left people with very few opportunities
for earning a living. Iroquois women recreated
their traditional arts such as basketry, embroidery, quillwork, and
beadwork for sale to non-Native people. They sold their products
at resorts and tourist attractions. 
For well over a century, tourists purchased souvenirs from Iroquois
women to take home as gifts and reminders of their personal
experiences. They bought whimsical beaded items such as pincushions
in the shape of a boot, wall pockets and match safes, model birchbark
canoes, and basketry novelties. Customers could request an
individual name or inscription which the beadworker added on the
spot.