Fort Edmonton Park has maintained a vibrant indigenous
interpretive program for many years (as anyone who has stopped at
our Cree Camp can testify). In 2009 and 2010, FEP rededicated
itself to targeting this aspect of Edmonton's history for growth
and development.
For the Public Programs unit, this meant stepping up our game on
the ground and starts at our amazing Costuming & Wardrobe dept.
In the winter of 2009/2010, one of our costumers built an elk-hide
frock coat for our 1846 interpretation. She had done extensive
research through the Post journals, books, visiting the Royal
Alberta Museum'scollection and searching the internet to create the
beaded elk-hide garment.
All pictures courtesy of Adele Schatschneider
During the 1840s, hide garments were decorated in quillwork,
which was a ceremonial practice, but as trade with Europeans became
more prominent, porcupine quills began tobe replaced with glass
beads which provided more colourful decoration possibilities.
Pieces that are currently being created in the costume shop
include a beaded wool Métis Octopus bag, which was a bag used to
store tobacco and was worn either from the neckor attached to a
belt. Ours is a mutual construction between two of the costumers
andwill be attached to a belt.
There are two Métis style waistcoats (vests) being constructed
of woollen fabric and glassbeads and will be worn on 1885 Street
upon their completion.
As well we are currently working on a Cree beaded deer hide
shirt based on some Creequillwork and an existing garment housed at
the Royal Alberta Museum.
Interested in getting involved?
If you want to help in the creation of Aboriginal fashions, we
have several volunteerand paid positions available this year.
Please contact tom.long@edmonton.ca for
more information.
If you want to wear some of these costume pieces we post our
Aboriginal Camp Interpreter positions in February/March of each
year. Interested in volunteering once a week? Contact judy.glenn@edmonton.ca.
Exciting Opportunity
May 20 through 21, 2001, the University of Alberta is
hosting the 2011 Conference -Material Culture, Craft &
Community: Negotiating Objects Across Time &
Place.
On Friday, one of the sessions our costumers hope to attend
involves three discussions on Objects, Crafts and
Communities in First Nations' Histories
Chair: Sarah Carter, University of Alberta
Fine more information on the Material Culture, Crafts & Community
conference website.