Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison

As Molly learns more about Seneca culture throughout the novel, it becomes apparent that this culture is rapidly changing and that some of these changes are a cause for concern. A key way this theme is developed is through traditional handmade items. Wise characters—Shagbark, Earth Woman, and Shining Star—are all skilled craftspeople. Craftsmanship is much deeper than their creating the items themselves; these skills bind the community together, encompass Seneca values, and are a source of healing and joy.

The skills of traditional crafts are passed down from older members of the community to younger members, strengthening their bonds and allowing for knowledge to pass from one generation to the next. Shagbark creates and gives meaningful gifts—a bow and arrow for Little Turtle, a ladle for Molly, and a canoe for Josiah. Earth Woman mentors young women in the community, teaching Beaver Girl and Molly to make clay pots. In turn, Molly gives her pot to Red Bird; giving this gift provides Molly with a sense of pride and belonging.

Traditional skills also integrate Seneca values into daily life. For instance, the value of patience is developed in the slow process of making a quality item. Molly bemoans how long it takes to make a clay pot, but Earth Woman assures her that “a good thing is never made in a hurry” (396). While a gun disconnects the hunter from nature, using a bow and arrow requires more patience, skill, and observation of surroundings. When Turkey Feather is successful with his bow and arrow, he uses all parts of the animal he has killed. Molly uses the quills as a hairbrush and also learns to dye them and embroider with them. These crafts demonstrate the Seneca value of respecting the lives of animals and using all parts of them. While Molly disliked sewing work in Marsh Creek Hollow, she is drawn to Seneca crafts. She learns how to make moccasins and delights in the spiritual meanings hidden in embroidered designs: “The Indian designs always mean something” (345), she tells Josiah.

Besides passing on Seneca cultural values, traditional skills and craftsmanship are also a source of healing and joy. When Molly arrives at Genesee Town, she is in such a state of despair and grief that Earth Woman’s medicinal remedies don’t seem to have any effect on her physical recovery. Wisely, Earth Woman presents Molly with the challenge of making a clay cooking pot:

Earth Woman was wise enough to know that a cooking-pot could do what all the herbs and medicines in the world could not. But there was no hurry—there were many moons to come. In time, in the fullness of time, the white girl would forget altogether (256).

At the end of the novel, this cooking pot is a symbol of Molly’s healing. She gushes, “Could there ever be any happiness greater than this—the joy of making a beautiful thing with one’s hands?” (400). Molly’s cooking pot is part of her emotional healing and demonstrates how she has become rooted in her new community.

In contrast to the wise characters’ respect for traditional crafts, characters who disregard these skills are portrayed in a negative light. While everyone else celebrates Molly’s cooking pot, Squirrel Woman states that “a brass kettle is more useful” (400); Gray Wolf longs for a European-style suit. This shift is a result of interaction with Europeans, and it worries wise leaders in the community. When Molly asks Earth Woman if every Seneca girl makes pots, Earth Woman tells her sadly:

Only Beaver Girl because I have taught her. Most of the women, even, have forgotten how. It is an old, old art, rapidly becoming lost. It is so easy now to buy brass kettles from the white traders. When I was young, we knew nothing of brass kettles. All the women made pots—beautiful pots to be proud of (250).

Chief Burning Sky is troubled by the greedy desire of Seneca community members when they trade with Fallenash. Like Earth Woman, he is clear that these changes are a direct result of interaction with white people. He says:

The Indians were happy until the pale-faces began to change their way of life. Now, the Indian wants cloth to wear in place of deerskin garments, blankets to take the place of fur robes, brass kettles in place of earthen pots and fire-arms for bows and arrows. Worst of all, the pale-face brings fire-water (411).

Craftsmanship and traditional skills demonstrate the beauty of Seneca culture throughout the novel; the erosion of these skills is seen as a loss of community, pride, and joy. Throughout the novel, wise characters work toward the preservation of Indigenous culture.