Fabric, velveteen, black, Fabric, cotton, heavy-weight, brown, Fabric, cotton, white on wine red, Yarn, red, green, white, blue & yellow, Binding tap, medium red, Tube beads, clear with grey and yellow undertones, Seed beads, glass, opaque white, red (opaque burgundy, opaque dusty rose, transparent rose), opaque medium yellow, green (opaque shamrock, transparent dark green), blue (opaque light, opaque cerulean, opaque navy).

Hand sewn panel and strap edged with red bias tape, backed with white-on-red printed cotton overlay stitched beadwork (stitched at 2 bead intervals), Pocket non-functional

Floral stem and leaf, ragged leaf, lanceolate leaf, 3- and 4-petaled flower, heart-shape, bud?, maple leaf?.

"First Nations and Métis beadworks often intentionally positioned on or two beads out of place on a garment. Frequently they stitched an oddly coloured or shaped bead into an otherwise perfect motif. This practice reinforced the belief that only the creator is perfect" (McCord Museum, p.199)

"Bandolier bags most likely originated in the Upper Great Lakes region during the 1840s and 1850s. Fashioned exclusively from European materials and adorned with thousands of beads, bandolier bags were primarily for show, as a symbol of identity, wealth and status. Although initially functional, by the late 19th and early 20th centuries many of the bags had false pockets or none at all. Sometimes called "friendship bags", they were often created as gifts to strengthen relationships within communities or between nations. By the 1870s they had become an important element of formal dress worn mainly at ceremonies and celebrations by men, and occasionally by women. They wore them - singly or several at a time - crossed over the torso or draped around the neck. The wearing of more than one bag was generally the prerogative of a leader or a person of high honour." (McCord, 2013)

previous owner was James A Wallace from Fort Francis, Ontario

McCord Museum. Wearing Our Identity. Montreal: The McCord Museum, 2013. Print.

McCord Museum. Wearing Our Identity. Montreal: The McCord Museum, 2013. Print.

Manitoba Museum

Content from the Manitoba Museum's catalog records. Uploaded by Orvis Starkweather as part of their summer internship.