Winter Transportation

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Supplies were moved throughout the year

In old times, winter transportation was done by dog team and toboggan or sled. Usually three dogs were used in a team. These dogs were harnessed using collars made from a piece of flat rawhide with a hole cut in it that was padded or wound with blankets or soft leather so it would not chafe the dogs' necks. Straps were fastened to the harnesses for dragging the sled or toboggan, and the collars were slipped over the dogs' heads, resting against their shoulders.

​Dog toboggans would travel single-file one behind another and were able to go 40 or 50 miles a day.  The Ojibwe and Metis would often be hired to bring supplies between fur posts and sometimes would travel all the way to St. Paul, Minnesota to trade and gather supplies.

In summer such work was done using Red River ox carts.

Adapted from Densmore, Frances. 1929. “Chippewa Customs.” Bulletin. Washington: U.S. Govt. print. off.