About Waaban Aki Crafting
The Ojibwe words Waaban Aki mean ‘dawn land’ in English.
Waaban Aki Crafting was started in 1997 as a partnership of two craftspeople
located in the rolling northeast hills of Connecticut. These two artists,
a formally trained Anthropologist, and an un-enrolled Native American with Ojibwe and
Western Cherokee heritage, spent many years learning traditional
Native American culture, dance and crafts from family, friends and through academic study.
Tara Prindle, is the co-founder, and current sole-owner of Waaban Aki Crafting as of 2006.
Tara is non-Native, and has a Masters in Anthropology from the University of Connecticut.
Tara's interest in Native technologies and crafts grew out of her work as an archaeologist and Ph.D. student at UConn. Eventually, Tara's interests broadened beyond the study of New England prehistory, stone tools and pottery to include involvement with living Native American communities and individuals. Currently, while continuing her archaeological field research, Tara is a Board of Director for NativeWeb, Inc., a 501-c3 non-profit organization providing resources for Indigenous peoples around the globe. Tara also does graphic design and Internet publishing, including development of a website for the Nipmuc Indian Association of Connecticut, N.I.A.C., Inc. a non-profit membership organization based in Thompson, CT). Tara has also lead educational workshops for the CT State Museum of Natural History, National Audubon Center, N.I.A.C. as well as other local Native organizations and educational groups. Tara authors the educational web site Native American Technology and Art, which emphasizes the Eastern Woodlands and includes hundreds of pages of researched history & technical instruction for Native American craftwork. Many of the items shown here on the website are custom made at the time you order. Please plan ahead and allow two to six weeks to complete most orders.
Various local plant and animal products are used in my craftwork, all legally obtainable and saleable in the state of Connecticut. However, when purchasing from Waaban Aki Crafting, it is your responsibility to check on and comply with the legislation in your area. Tara also authors the educational web site, NativeTech: Native American Technology and Art, which emphasizes the Eastern Woodlands and includes over 500 pages of researched history & technical instruction for Native American craftwork. |
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E-mail Address:
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 564 Vernon, CT 06066
© 1997-
Waaban Aki Crafting |
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Waaban Aki Crafting is the sole manufacturer of my affordable simulated wampum beads. My individually hand-made acrylic beads actually look like Native-made wampum beads of the 1600's. I started making the beads ourselves after many frustrating attempts to reproduce woven wampum belts for local Natives using the other types of imitation glass or shell wampum beads available today. I also make wampum belts, bands, bracelets, bandoliers & bias weave collars in traditional and custom designs. Patience and quality are part of every hand-crafted piece.