Porcupine
Porcupines are often described as large, slow-moving rodents with sharp quills that act as a defense from predators. In many Native and Indigenous communities, porcupines are valued for their teachings about moving slowly and deliberately, and about the importance of self-defense. In Northern Native traditions, quillwork is considered a highly valuable form of artistry as the process of creating with quills involves many steps, including prayer.
Health Benefits:
Health Condition:
Method of Use:
Ceremony
Storytelling
Alternative Names:
Erethizon dorsatum
Cultural Narrative
A Lakota elder shared a story about how different Tribes have varying beliefs in how they interact with certain animals. As such, they also have specific traditions for working with animal resources, such as porcupine quills. She shared a conversation she had with a Navajo man while she was doing porcupine quillwork. The man explained that while he found the quillwork beautiful, he could not touch it because of the tribal teachings that he would get itchy if he touched a porcupine.
The elder also recounted the story she was told of the porcupine who guards the water in one of four mountains, and when someone passes away, the porcupine is the one that guides them through the water or turns them away if they are not ready
Another Community member mentioned that change and adaptation are a big part of being Native, describing the use of porcupine quills before the adoption of beads and beadwork.
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