native tanned deerskin smoked or dyed to a medium brown; porcupine quills, natural and dyed red-orange, and black; white glass beads; metal cones; deer hair; sinew or vegetable fiber thread

The square pouch is made from two pieces of hide and a third smaller piece cut in a scallop or tabbed contour to form the front flap. The pieces are stitched together with sinew or vegetable fiber. A row of small metal cones are attached to the bottom, their tops wrapped with light blue-green quills. The side and top seams are edged with a string of white glass beads, held in place by red quills inserted between each bead. Six rows of zig-zag band quillwork are sewn to the decorative flap at the top, with geometric designs in black and white. A single wavy line quilled border surrounds this panel. 5 "U" shaped 'horned' motifs are embroidered, one on each on the tab and two quill wrapped fiber strings with cones and deer hair are attached under the tabs. Two thunderbirds are depicted on bottom centre of front in quillwork.

thunderbirds; "U" shaped forms with downward curving motifs at top

The "U" shaped motifs on the tabs may represent horned serpents.

This was the period of intensive British military collecting during which Indigenous men began to adopt the square shape of the bandolier bags that were part of British military uniforms.

Transferred to the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology from the Trinity College Library, University of Cambridge, in 1914.

Unknown Anishinaabe artist, bag, shoulder. Currently in the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Z 35127. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip May 2009; GRASAC item id 25236.

This record was created as part of a GRASAC research trip to Cambridge University's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, May 4-9 2009.

Participants: Trudy Nicks, Laura Peers, Alison Brown, Sherry Farrell-Racette, Rachel Hand, Ruth Phillips, Stacey Loyer, and Amber Berson.