Ceremonial Rattle – Breath of Origins

My signature as an artist – my creative process

Each rattle I create follows exactly the same artistic process. It's my signature. It's what makes my pieces recognizable, consistent, and meaningful.

I begin by personally selecting driftwood, hand-picked from the banks of the Piekuakami (Lac-Saint-Jean) or the Ashapmushuan River. These places are part of my family and cultural history. Historically, my ancestors travelled this river by canoe.

Each piece of wood is chosen for its shape, density, and the energy it emits.

The wood is then worked and adorned with 100% genuine moose leather , a material used in Indigenous crafts for millennia for its strength, flexibility and direct connection to the Earth.

I also incorporate real animal fur in order to symbolically infuse the object with the strength and presence of the animal.

The rattle's head is crafted from deer leather , an intentional choice that produces a warm, soft, and vibrant sound.

Finally, I hand-paint each stick with colors inspired by the sky, stars, and night, recalling the sacred link between Earth and Heaven.

No two rattles are exactly alike. Each piece is unique.

—Dave Verreault-Thisselmagan