South Jersey Artist Collective (SJAC) will collaborate with the Native American Advancement Corporation and artist Ty “Dancing Wolf” Ellis to foster awareness and appreciation of the art and craft traditions of the indigenous peoples of southern New Jersey, the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indian Tribe of New Jersey. SJAC will engage community members in the creation of a wampum belt at NAAC and SJAC events. Historically, wampum belts were used among indigenous peoples for a variety of purposes, including peace treaties and storytelling. At events, SJAC and NAAC will present the wampum belt’s significance in historical context as each row of beads, handmade by Ty, is woven. The technique of creating the belt will be recorded and screened at community events.

“This is a dream of mine, to make these native beads that are too costly to afford as an independent artist,” Ty Wolf.