Save The Abalone Project
Marleen Murphy of Millside Ceramics (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory) creates environmentally friendly ceramic smudge bowls.
Abalone is a mollusk or sea snail that clings to rocks in coastal waters. She carries the spirit of the ocean and embodies the sacredness of water. She is tied to the cycles of the moon and cleansing energy of the tides.
Historically, inland Indigenous communities traded with Coastal Nations for these shells and they became the beautiful vessels that we still use today for burning our sacred medicines, creating tools and jewelry.
Abalone was overharvested in the 1970’s and 80’s when restaurants sold the expensive mollusk as an aphrodesiac. Abalone quickly became endanged and
totally disappeared from north american oceans.
All Abalone shells are now imported (Mexico/Asia/Australia, etc.) or acquired from farms. While some fish farms can be beneficial, many are detrimental to the natural environment by intruducing genetically modified species, disease, waste and upset to shoreline ecosystems.
With this understanding, Millside Ceramics has created an alternative. Ceramic smudge bowls that are modelled after ancient effigies.
Creator, Ancestors and the Sky/Spirit World will hear you. It doesn’t matter what kind of bowl you use in your ceremony.
Photos of the finished products are coming soon! Visit our project at the Indigenous Women's Arts Conference, November 8 & 9th at the St.Laurent Shopping Centre in Ottawa!
A collaboration funded by Ontario Arts Council.
