nettle stalk fibre, some dyed darker brown to make a pattern

woven

Decorated with abstract geometric patterns.

There is the possibility that the zigzag lines are power lines, in reference to spirit beings (Ruth Phillips)
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The decoration refers symbolically to the two major cosmic powers: the sky deities symbolized by lightning zigzags and the water deities by a concentric pattern. (CMC catalogue record)

Type of bag that was made pre-contact. Seemed to stop being made around start of 19th c.
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Louis Debassige said nettle was not a favourite plant to work with on Manitoulin, it was sharp and not very sturdy. The centre of the fibre was weak and therefore useless, leaving only the outer material to work with. Women preferred other sources of fibre, ie. basswood. The transition to wool may have been because it was more durable and washable. Louis states that cedar fibre gets fatter when wet and when dry loses its shape and changes shape. Ruth Phillips states that she has seen medicine bundles in bags such as this one.

CMC catalogue record

William Channing