Passamaquoddy with Unique Grip

Here's a Maliseet/Passamaquoddy paddle with an interesting carved grip area that I found in the American Museum of Natural History Native American collection. Looks like it had some form of paint on the blade area that has since faded to a dreary grey.

Catalog No: 50.1/ 7780
Culture: MALISEET, PASSAMAQUODDY
Material: WOOD, PIGMENT, WIRE (MODERN)
Dimensions: L:127.5 W:13 [in CM]
Accession No: 1914-4