The Eagle's Nest - Native American Art and wildlife gifts and home décor.

Athabascan Art by DatsDel't'a (Adam John)


Traditional hand carved miniature snow goggles. Make great ornaments! $20 each

 

Snow Goggles

Carved Cottonwood Snow Goggles

Wolf Spirit Mask Dance Fan

Wolf Spirit Mask with Handle
Wolf Spirit Mask with handle. With that face in one eye, the wolf represented many wolves. The wolf is noted for hunting skill, speed and family devotion. Signed. Measures approximately 6 inches long and 7 inches wide with feathers. Fur and feather combo may vary, $60.

Spirit of the Driftwood Dance Fan

After being on the water all day, the party landed to make camp and rest. On landing, the party discovered that there was no driftwood to make camp or start a fire. The medicine man was called and he chanted an old medicine song. The next morning there was driftwood all over the beach. Signed. Measures approximately 6 inches long and 7 inches wide with feathers. Fur and feather combo may vary, $60.
Spirit of the Driftwood Dance Fan
 


Bad Spirit of the Mountain Mask with Handle

Bad Spirit of the Mountain Mask with Handle- fur
Collected by Edward William Nelson in 1899. On a trip to the top of the Mountain, the first timer would take someone who’s been to the top, knowing that once on top its easy to get lost, “or maimed, hurt and even killed by the bad spirit of the mountain.” There were several stories and a mask of the Bad Spirit of the Mountain. Children were allowed total freedom to explore the forestry and the creeks. At some point, the child would express an interest in climbing a mountain. They would ask a parent who would explain that there were bad spirits that could get you lost, maimed or severely hurt. The child would ask another member of the family and would be told the same story. $60 each


Owl Spirit Mask Dance Fan

Owl Spirit Mask Dance Fan

Out in the wild, the campers would be adopted by an owl. On expeditions, the owl followed. On the way back to camp it was suggested that they pretend to be lost. They weaved and backtracked and suddenly the owl jumped ahead to lead them back to camp. The campers said this is good medicine. The owl was your friend.


Wolf Spirit Mask with Dream Catcher and Antler, $150

Wolf Spirit Mask with Dream Catcher

  Three Spirit Mask Medicine Panel, $200

Bad Spirit of the Mountain Medicine Panel The larger mask on the panel is the pivotal mask. The Medicine Man goes to that mask’s domain for the answer to a question. To come back out of that world, he uses the smaller masks power. This can take a day, two weeks or more. This panel's pivotal mask is a Bad Spirit of the Mountain. The miniature masks include Wolf Spirit and Spirit of the Driftwood. Includes story tag. Signed. Currently in stock! This piece is one of a kind.
 


Three Mask Dream Catcher Sculpture, $300
Three Mask Athabascan Dream Catcher Sculpture
Reverse Three Mask Athabascan Dream Catcher Sculpture
Three masks mounted onto a piece of driftwood: Spirit of the Driftwood and Portrait Mask on one side and Wolf Spirit on the other. The middle section is bowl like- great for adding beach rocks or shells. The top portion is a dream catcher mounted onto the wood by an antler. This piece is in stock and one of a kind.
 
   

About Adam John

Dats Del't'a, born and raised on the banks of the Tanana river in Alaska's 'golden heart' interior is a full blood ATHABASCAN INDIAN.

In his early years, his father made knife handles, sleds, snowshoes, bows & arrows, spears, canoe paddles, and masks. Dats Del't'a watched and learned and after many hours of practice became able to handle a knife, and soon made his own masks, spears and sleds.

In school he took art classes to further his ability to carve. He served on the National Congress of American Indians as the Vice President, Alaska Legal Services as the Vice President, wrote children’s books, lectured at Universities nationwide and directed various
Indian organizations.

Today, Dats Del't'a (Adam John) now resides in Seattle, Washington where he carves traditional and contemporary Spirit Masks. He is also currently writing a book based on his life’s experiences. For more in-depth information on Athabascan art and culture, contact the University of Alaska in Fairbanks or refer to books by author and anthropologist Dorothy Jean Ray.

 

Check out these handcrafted items:

Coast Salish Carvings
Horse Hair Pottery
Baskets
Paintings, Pottery and More
One-of-a-Kind Jewelry
Beadwork
Cowichan Knits
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Adam John, Athabascan
If you are family or friends who want to obtain Adam's current information, please contact us via email at cs@theeaglesnestonline.com.
Thank you!

 

* All artwork is sold in and with the support of the artist.