Overview

This protective amulet, known as a piikstaan, was created by a woman of the Piikani Nation, and was first acquired through purchase in the year 1929. The identity of the charm’s creator is unknown, as is the identity of its first recipient. We also do not know when it was created.

Traditional piikstaan were crafted by mothers as gifts to their newborn children, or sometimes their grandchildren, and symbolize the connection between a mother and her child. To this end, they were created to store the dried umbilical cord in a secure interior pouch, and to act as protective charms throughout the child’s life. The piikstaan also served as a child’s first toy, meant to be hung from the cradleboard.