Snakeskin (probably Mississauga rattlesnake), black cloth of the same type used for leggings HK 109 a,b, two other kinds of woolen fabrics also used, probably were once black but now look greenish (one a fancy twill weave and the other a fancy plain weave), lined with two different patterns of calico, back is made of another type of heavy woolen twill, dark brown. multicoloured translucent rose, light blue, light green, gold and opaque white and black pony beads, size 11 or smaller translucent, white, and translucent light blue seed beeds; gold translucent, dark green and blue tubular beads, cut black beads. Tin cones, some attached to home tanned hide and others to twisted string. Silk ribbon in red, faded to pink except on the strap, metal tinkle cones. Strap is lined with light weight gauze.

Appliqued beadwork motifs on bag front are backed with paper. Bead fringe bordering the flap is of cut black beads with a second looped tier of translucent beads attached-- resembles crocheting. Beadwork on strap is more finely done than the appliqued beadwork on the bag front which is almost

Two 'star' shaped quatrefoil motifs below two half moon motifs, a central motif that looks like a horned or long earred figure but might also be an abstract double curve motif, two facing Misshipeshu images on flap of bag with an enigmatic image between them that seems to have two horns or long ears.

The underwater being - Misshipeshu images, moons and 'stars' could related to powers received in dreams by the maker. Colours of the beadwork could be related to dream experience, black stripe on the Misshipeshu images could signify the internal organs (vertical orientation would result from the beading technique used)

Inside pouch is white silk chiffon fabric, maybe the selvage edge pinked on one side. As in beaded bandolier bags there is a different motif on each side of the strap.

Additional dimensions, length of the bag - 30 (with tassels)

Cumberland (1904), p 21, includes this in list of items worn at 1869 "pageant" staged for the Prince of Wales. This was the meeting at Sarnia

F. Barlow Cumberland, Catalogue and Notes of the Oronhyatekha Historical Collection (Toronto: Independant Order of Foresters, 1904), p 21.

Item 59. "Beaded Pouch with Snakeskin Shoulder Strap of wife of Chief John Tecumseh Henry."

Under item 60, pp 23-24, this pouch is included in a list "Large bead pouch, highly decorated, a good specimen of Indian work. This pouch of Chief John Tecumseh Henry, as also no 59, that of his wife, have the rare Indian snakeskin covering for the shoulder straps. These and other articles in this collection (Nos. 77, 79, 89, 91, were worn by the Chief and his wife when they represented the Caradoc Indian Reserve and presented an address to the Prince of Wales on the occasion of his visit to Canada. For photograph of the Chief and his wife, in full costume, see No. 418."

Unknown artist, shoulder bag of wife of Chief John Tecumseh Henry. Currently in the Royal Ontario Museum, 911.3.121. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2008; GRASAC item id 1553.

GRASAC team research trip to the Royal Ontario Museum, Dec 15-19 2008, funded by SSHRC Aboriginal Research Grant. Participants: Heidi Bohaker, Alan Corbiere, Lewis Debassige, Anne De Stecher, Darlene Johnston, Stacey Loyer, Trudy Nicks, Ruth Phillips

Dec 16 ethnology team: Trudy Nicks, Cory Willmott, Anne De Stecher, Ruth Phillips assisted by Tracey Forester.