Smoked tanned caribou hide, Opaque and semi-translucent round beads, Wool cloth, Sinew, Thread

Smoked tanned caribou hide top portion sewn along one side with thread, Fish tail opening has four rounded edge tabs, Two tabs per side, Light blue beads edging on long tab, Two beige canvas panels with black wool cloth lining completely covered with opaque and semi-translucent round beads spot-stitched with sinew and thread, Both beaded panels have multi-coloured floral designs on white background, Each design is different, one side has a large rosette with smaller buds and leaves on navy blue stems cascading outward from the rosette, other side has seven smaller flowers with leaves along navy blue stems, Circumference of each design has three row border, one side is green and the other side is red, Below the inner border, along the bottom edge is a row of light blue beads placed in groups of three, Sides have couched stitch edging of light blue and navy blue beads placed in alternating blocks of colour, Smoked tanned caribou hide fringes along bottom edge, combining short and long fringes, short fringes approx. 4.5 cm in length, long fringes approx. 24 cm in length.

One side has a large rosette with smaller buds and leaves on navy blue stems cascading outward from the rosette, other side has seven smaller flowers with leaves along navy blue stems, Circumference of each design has three row border, one side is green and the other side is red, Below the inner border, along the bottom edge is a row of light blue beads placed in groups of three.

Firebag

Originally owned by Nathaniel Murdock William John McKenzie, HBC employee. Nathaniel Murdock William John McKenzie was born on Dec. 5, 1857 in Stromness, Orkney Islands. He took a contract with the HBC in 1876 as a carpenter serving at Fort Ellice in Southwestern Manitoba. He rose through the ranks from this position to Post Manager, Clerk in Charge, Clerk and Trader, and finally District Manager for the Lake Huron and Lake Superior regions. He retired briefly June 1, 1893 and then returned into the service until 1914. During his employment, he worked in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and in the northern Great Lakes region.

Handwritten note with catalogue record

Manitoba Museum