Métis Cultural Items (Photos)

---

Collection at the Smithsonian Institution

Many of the unique historical artifacts of the Métis people are found in museums and historical collections across Canada and the United States.  These objects reflect the rich and wonderful history of the people who grew strong during the eighteenth to mid-nineteenth centuries on the prairies and forests of the upper Great Plains.

Born of mixed-ancestry to Native mothers and European fathers, the Métis often acted as bridges between white and Indian communities, eventually becoming their own nation with their own culture and cultural artifacts. 

​The following artifacts are found and maintained at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Washington, DC.  Please click on the photos for larger images.

---

BEADED CLOTH BAG (METIS)

Beaded cloth bag collected at Fort Totten, North Dakota

Beaded cloth bag collected at Fort Totten, North Dakota

---

​BEADED OCTOPUS BAG (METIS)

Beaded octopus bag collected at Fort Totten, North Dakota

Beaded octopus bag collected at Fort Totten, North Dakota

---

WOVEN LEG SASHES (METIS)

Leg "sashes" collected at Fort Totten, North Dakota

Leg "sashes" collected at Fort Totten, North Dakota

---

BEADED POUCH (METIS)

Beaded pouch collected at Fort Totten, North Dakota

Beaded pouch collected at Fort Totten, North Dakota

---

METIS BOW AND QUIVERS

Metis bow and quiver (North Dakota)

Metis quiver (North Dakota)

Metis bow (North Dakota)

Metis arrows (North Dakota)

---

OCTOPUS BAG (METIS)

Octopus bag, Red River Metis

---

BLADED BALL CLUB (METIS)

Bladed ball club (North Dakota)

---

QUILLED Mittens (Metis)

Quilled mittens (North Dakota)

Quilled mittens (North Dakota)

---

Quilled Saddle/Pad (Metis)

Quilled saddle/pad (North Dakota)

---

​BEADED COAT (METIS)

Beaded coat (Missouri River Metis)

Beaded coat (Missouri River Metis)

---

RED RIVER METIS QUILLED COAT & MITTENS

Quilled coat (Red River)

Quilled coat (Red River)

Quilled mittens (Red River)