Parfleche
Unknown artist from a Northern Plains tribe
Northern Plains, United States
Unknown date
hide, pigment
Parfleche Inspired Activity
The artist Melanie Yazzie was inspired by the intricate and unique designs that are significant to the owner as well as the parfleche’s function for holding important items.
Does this object spark a lesson idea for your classroom?
- How are students inspired to share about themselves with personal designs?
- How could you prompt students to consider what they would like to put into their parfleche-inspired case?
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Lesson SparkStoryteller Figure Inspired Activity
Artist Melanie Yazzie was inspired by the celebration and unity that story telling provides.
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Lesson SparkWeaver inspired Activity
Find inspiration for class artmaking related to the Weaver with Loom figure. Watch Melanie Yazzie discuss her inspiration, too.
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Lesson SparkMoccasin Inspired Activity
A pair of moccasins sparked a connection for Artist Melanie Yazzie to consider the role and importance of having empathy for others, or “walking a mile in someone’s moccasins.”
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Lesson PlanAmerican Indian Art History Detectives
Elementary (grades K-5)One 50 minute lessonParfleche boxes were an essential storage container for the nomadic American Indians of the Great Plains that followed the herds of bison that once occupied large sections of the United States.
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Lesson Plan
Pack your Parfleche!
Elementary (grades K-5)One 50 minute lessonIf you lived a nomadic lifestyle like many of the American Indians of the Great Plains, what items would you be sure to pack? Invite students to imagine themselves out following herds of buffalo as they “pack” their virtual parfleche boxes!
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