women's beaded hood

women's beaded hood

women's beaded hood

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Introduction

Beaded hood ("Miksa studen" in Cree) made from blue stroud. It is overlain with chain stitch beadwork at the edges of the panels. A woollen tassel is at the peak of the hood. Beaded decorative floral designs cascade down the sides of the hood. The fringes at the bottom of the hood are finished with loops.

Name of Maker(s): Hudson's Bay and James Bay Cree
Nation of Maker: Cree Eeyou (Eastern James Bay Quebec Cree) Maskêkowiyiniwak (Swampy Cree) Mushkegowuk (Western James Bay Cree) Omushkego (Winisk-Swampy Cree) Sakawiyiniwask (Woodland Cree)
Nation of Origin

The making of these hoods was a form a cultural pride, which is a form of resistance to colonization. The people of this region were subjected to colonial rule that disallowed their cultural expression. The creation of this hood was a way to combat that.

Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

European settlers confirm that they saw Cree women wear beaded hoods throughout James Bay and the Hudson Bay lowlands, many writing about these sitings in their journals. Some drew pictures of the women wearing the hoods.

Place of Origin: James Bay and Hudson's Bay
Date Made or Date Range: Mid 19 C
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Researched and written by Sheila Wheesk. Cree word for beaded hood attributed to Ellen Small Boy of Moose Factory, ON.

Materials

Woollen stroud or velvet fabric, cotton for lining, silk, sinew, yarn, and glass beads.

Techniques or Format

The technique depends on the Cree women's location.

Motifs and Patterns

Floral images, rose buds, large leafs and small leafs resemble ferns. There are double curved lines and three straight lines.

Additional Context

The hood represents the artisan's skills and her husband's ability to provide the materials.
Regina Flannery told Cath Oberholter that the tassels represent the spirit or the soul.

Original and Subsequent Uses

The hood was used as personal attire.

Dimensions: 64.5 × 29.5 × 0 cm
Condition: Good. The hood has a few beads missing.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

On the eastern side of James Bay, the elders say the Cree women wore the hoods at a feast celebrating a good hunt and that the women would dance in their tents.
Hudson's Bay Company employee, James Isham, wrote about the beaded hoods in his journal. He was in the region at this time.

Current Location: Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON, Canada
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 2007.41.1.3
Source for Provenance information

Laura Peers

GKS Reference Number: 58892
How to Cite this Item

Unknown Cree artist, beaded hood. Currently in the Royal Ontario Museum, 2007.41.1.3. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2008; GRASAC item id 58892.

Record Creation Context

Record created by Sheila Wheesk GRASAC RA in April 2021.

Approximate Place of Origin

54.2, -80.3

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