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Jim F. Frechette Jr. is recognized as a nationally known artist. He has had his work commissioned and displayed by many museums and collectors, including the National Indian Collection of the Department of Interior, Washington DC. He is one of the few Menominee who practices the traditional methods and knows the clan system. His beliefs have inspired him to carve many clan figures. The Great Bear is one such carving. The Great Bear is significant in Menominee legends, as he figures prominently in the Origin story of the Menominee Tribe. |
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At a place where the Village River (the Menominee River) meets the Bay in Spite of Itself (Bay of Green Bay) a Great Bear was created and started traveling up the river. As he traveled, he talked with Maec-Awaetok (the Great Spirit, referred to by some Menominee As Father of all Fathers). When Maec-Awaetok saw that the Bear was still an animal, he allowed the Bear to change its form. The Bear was pleased at what Maec-Awaetok granted. So Maec-Awaetok changed the Bear into a man. As he traveled along the river, he found himself alone and decided to call unto himself the Golden Eagle. He said, “Golden Eagle, come down and be my brother.” The Golden Eagle descended and Maec-Awaetok changed him into a man. He became the Brother of the Bear. The two Brothers then traveled up-river together. As they did, they pondered whom they would call upon next to become their brother. While considering this decision, they saw a Beaver approaching. When they met, the Beaver was adopted as the Younger Brother of the Bear. She was called Beaver Woman. As woman, she is equal to all other clan symbols. As they continued their journey up the river, the Bear and the Golden Eagle adopted the Wolf, the Crane, and the Moose as Brothers. Maec-Awaetok changed each into a man and they became the five principal clan symbols. Through their travels, each of the five Brothers adopted Younger Brothers, and they changed into men. Altogether they became the first Menominee People. |
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A giant butternut tree, recorded as the largest butternut in the state of Wisconsin in 1978, grew for 119 years on the Menominee Reservation in the section known as the Crow Settlement. The tree became diseased in 1991, and consistent with Menominee sustainable development practices, was harvested. The size of the butt log was enormous; 16 feet long, it was 9 1/2 feet in circumference, 49 inches in diameter at the butt (base) end, and 36 inches at the top and weighed in at 1 1/2 tons. The Tribe was understandably reluctant to merely cut the log into boards and accordingly requested that Mr. Frechette submit a proposal for a carving. |
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His knowledge of the Menominee Clan system and the legends inspired Mr. Frechette to suggest a carving of the Great Bear. Mr. Frechette received the commission and set about creating his mammoth carving on March 5th, 1992. Using traditional hand carving techniques and tools, he worked on the Bear 10 hours a day, 6 days a week for six months without making use of modern day power tools. On the one day he would take off during the week, he would study the carving and visualize the work he planned to accomplish in the upcoming week. His dedication and persistence paid off handsomely. |
| The finished Great Bear stands 11 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 1700 pounds. The base itself weighs approximately 500 pounds. Four coats of a special mixture bring out the natural beauty of the butternut wood, which has aged to a rich, honey color with beautiful grain and texture. The Bear wears traditional Menominee dress, which is ornately decorated with intricate carvings. The precision of Mr. Frechette's work is a reflection of the long hours and months of personal and intensive concentration he put into the carving. |
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A
synthesis of skill and tradition have gone into the creation
of the Bear. The Clan system of the Menominee Tribe
was a sophisticated and successful system which created a stable society
for many, many years. Members of clans would have different
responsibilities to fulfill within their social structure. The
Bear Clan, for example, were the Speakers of the Tribe and the Keepers
of the Law. The Clan system was a democracy; decision-making was
the function of the Tribe as a whole and the Bear Clan was the voice of
the people.
For more information on the Menominee Clan system and to see more of Mr. Frechette's outstanding work, click HERE to see the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point's web pages on the clans. |
| After Mr. Frechette finished the Great Bear, the carving resided in the library at the Menominee High School. It was then relocated to the Menominee Casino, and as of July 15th, 2002, now stands in the mezzanine of the College. The College of Menominee Nation is proud and honored to be hosting the Great Bear. | |
