Roderick, or better known as "Wadoo", Scott is an artisan of the Nez Perce Native American culture from Lapwai, Idaho in the USA. Wadoo specializes in creating hand-made traditional jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, and chokers. To view a catalogue of jewelry made by Roderick Wadoo Scott, click on the link at the bottom of the page. Born in Lewiston Idaho, today Wadoo has a small ranch just outside Lapwai, Idaho where he creates his beaded jewelry and cares for his few horses. Wadoo hopes to someday purchase the land adjacent to his and operate a bison ranch. Wadoo is 60 years old, married with three children and eight grandchildren. He has been making beaded jewelry for over 40 years and he learned the craft from his mother and grandmothers. Wadoo gets the inspiration for his artwork through meditation and communication with the spirit of generations of Nez Perce that have passed before him. Wadoo explains that his jewelry is very old because the designs are very old, they come to him from his traditions and the spirit of the older generations is passed on through these beaded designs. A deeply religious and traditional man, Wadoo continues to use a sweat lodge to communicate with God and his ancestors. To Wadoo, the sweat lodge is the same as a church given by God for which he is very thankful. Inside his sweat lodge Wadoo and his family pray, sing, and meditate, all while applying water on the hot rocks in the center of the lodge to create steam. The steam cleanses and purifies the spirit creating a “oneness” and unity between the person, their Nez Perce ancestors, and God. Additionally, the Nez Perce believe that water is the strongest medicine created by God, it cleanses the inside, helps you when praying, and is the medicine of all life. Therefore, water is used in many Nez Perce ceremonies and traditions. Besides being an accomplished craftsman of beaded work and jewelry, Wadoo is an excellent storyteller. One such story is of Wadoo’s grandmother who, when she was 9 years old, it is said, rode into camp on the back of a grizzly bear. This was considered very strong medicine and earned her the name “Grizzly Bear Approaching Camp Fire”. Later in life, she followed in the footsteps of her mother, known as “Grand Old Lady” (because she was so old, 122 years when she died, that no one could translate her name), and became a Nez Perce medicine woman. Another story Wadoo tells is of the time he was recognized as a Warrior in the traditional ways of the Nez Perce by receiving a public citation and an eagle feather. This was an honor that had not been given to any Nez Perce man in over one hundred years; it occurred in 1981. The story goes that Wadoo was commended for standing up against federal agents of the U.S. Game and Fish Department to defend the Nez Perce peoples’ right to fish for salmon in the rivers of their ancestors. The salmon are a sacred animal to the Nez Perce because they believe the salmon travel a long distance to die for them; the salmon provide the Nez Perce with food and bring songs of the salmon’s spirit. Wadoo was beaten, arrested, and jailed for his actions; however he refused to give up. Wadoo fought for his rights in court and with the help of some attorneys that specialized in Indian affairs, he was eventually exonerated and released. The spirit that Wadoo demonstrated in this instance earned him the highest honor the Nez Perce tribe could give one of their men, the official recognition as a Warrior. Today, Wadoo demonstrates his spirit and connection with his Nez Perce ancestors through the intricate beadwork and jewelry he creates. To view a catalogue of beadwork and jewelry made by Roderick Wadoo Scott, click on the link below. Catalogue of Beadwork & Jewelry by Roderick Wadoo Scott