Aron Griffith, Maliseet artist, creates birch bark baskets and mother earth effigies from birch bark, adorned with animals, plants, and traditional Wabanaki designs. The birch tree has long provided Northeast Woodland Indians with material for containers as well as canoes.
Griffith's doll-like creations honor Mother Earth; hence he calls them earth effigies. The corn cob inside the effigy is part of Griffith's honoring of Mother Earth. This effigy is adorned with dragonfly designs. Dragonflies have long been of interest in Native American culture. Among characteristics they represent are speed and agility.
The artist's signature is under the backpack on the effiy's back.
