Athabasca University Mace

The component parts of the mace were selected based on the artist’s perception of the wildlife that Alberta First Nations regard as being most powerful and worthy of respect:

• The base is moose horn, chosen because of the way the moose feeds low for strength yet stands tall and strong in its domain.
• The shaft is pine and fir, fully twisted, challenging all directions at once.
• The bear claws reflect the balance of power by the strongest in nature.
• The bear teeth represent wisdom and solidarity.
• The arrowhead represents firmness and counsel.
• The stone eagle’s head represents guidance and spirit.
• The eagle and raven feathers represent mobility and wariness.
• The beads represent the human element, so lightly attached to nature.

The mace was donated to Athabasca University by Richard and Carol Aberg in June 1996.