Nātamowekow
"Every morning when I get up
the first thing I do
is ask myself who I am [...]"
- Nātamowekow
James F. Frechette, Jr.
Nātamowekow, James F. Frechette, Jr. was a Menominee artist, whose work maintained Menominee traditions in craft and content.
This film is a collaborative project between James F. Frechette, Jr. and Robert Kanyusik. The film reflects James F. Frechette, Jr.’s deep commitment to his Menominee heritage. This heritage demonstrates itself in his determination to carry on Menominee practices in working with wood, both in technique and in tribal tradition. It can also be seen in his figure work and the unique nature of presenting the Menominee Clans Story through the use of an indigenous art form.
This project started in 1995 under the sponsorship of the Nicolet College, Rhinelander, Wisconsin. The initial work on the project was done over the span of two years. After that time, the project was put on hold and the video footage was placed in storage.
In 2006, James F. Frechette, Jr. died. In 2012, Kanyusik, a fine arts instructor at the Nicolet College, retired, obtained the video footage and began auditing courses in digital media. Collaborating with the Menominee Clans Committee and University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point's Natural History Museum, he pursued the completion of this film honoring James F. Frechette, Jr.’s vision. The final work on the film coincided with the installation of the Menominee Clans Story at the Oshkosh Public Museum in 2019.
This film is a collaborative project between James F. Frechette, Jr. and Robert Kanyusik. The film reflects James F. Frechette, Jr.’s deep commitment to his Menominee heritage. This heritage demonstrates itself in his determination to carry on Menominee practices in working with wood, both in technique and in tribal tradition. It can also be seen in his figure work and the unique nature of presenting the Menominee Clans Story through the use of an indigenous art form.
This project started in 1995 under the sponsorship of the Nicolet College, Rhinelander, Wisconsin. The initial work on the project was done over the span of two years. After that time, the project was put on hold and the video footage was placed in storage.
In 2006, James F. Frechette, Jr. died. In 2012, Kanyusik, a fine arts instructor at the Nicolet College, retired, obtained the video footage and began auditing courses in digital media. Collaborating with the Menominee Clans Committee and University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point's Natural History Museum, he pursued the completion of this film honoring James F. Frechette, Jr.’s vision. The final work on the film coincided with the installation of the Menominee Clans Story at the Oshkosh Public Museum in 2019.
In 2020, Nātamowekow was a finalist for the Independent Shorts Award, and in 2023, Nātamowekow was selected for presentation at the 17th UK Native Spirit Film Festival.
Wāēwāēnen for gifting your film, Bob.