The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture has acquired Bremner’s piece, “Big Money”, for their permanent collections.
The copper shield, or tináa, was an object of wealth and prestige among the Northwest Coast First Nations people. It was brought out to display during potlatch, and represented more than just the value of the copper.
Tináas once held a money-like value that today is held by dollar bills. Big Money is the next step from the Potlatch Dollars jewelry line, which features images of money superimposed onto copper shields.
Gunalchéesh, thank you to the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture!