The Métis SashThe Métis SashThe history as well as purposes of the sash The history as well as purposes of the sash

The Métis SashThe Métis Sash

• The Sash is a symbol of pride for many Métis The Sash is a symbol of pride for many Métis people.people.

• Many Métis people consider their traditions, Many Métis people consider their traditions, culture, history and way of life to be woven culture, history and way of life to be woven through the patterns, material and strands of through the patterns, material and strands of the wool, as Métis people share an the wool, as Métis people share an intertwining history with many other groups. intertwining history with many other groups.

A SashA Sash

The Sash Came from…The Sash Came from…

• French Canadian weavers from L’Assomption French Canadian weavers from L’Assomption which was a small town in Quebec made the which was a small town in Quebec made the Assomption Sash which was known for the Assomption Sash which was known for the arrowhead designs. arrowhead designs.

• In time many of the Metis became voyagers In time many of the Metis became voyagers and wore the sash, therefore the word and wore the sash, therefore the word Assomption was dropped in favor of the name Assomption was dropped in favor of the name “Metis Sash.”“Metis Sash.”

Different Styles Different Styles

• In Western Canada, the sash is associated In Western Canada, the sash is associated with the Métis however in Central and Eastern with the Métis however in Central and Eastern Canada the sash is associated with traditional Canada the sash is associated with traditional French Canadian Acadian and First Nation French Canadian Acadian and First Nation culture. culture.

• Each of these groups wore a variety of sash. Each of these groups wore a variety of sash. The Métis wore “ceinture flechee” or “arrow The Métis wore “ceinture flechee” or “arrow belt.” belt.”

An Arrowhead SashAn Arrowhead Sash

The History of the Métis The History of the Métis SashSash

• The finger-weaving technique used when The finger-weaving technique used when making the sash originates from the Eastern making the sash originates from the Eastern Woodlands Indian Peoples who traditionally Woodlands Indian Peoples who traditionally used plant fibers to make ropes and also used plant fibers to make ropes and also made Wampum belts. made Wampum belts.

• Wool and wearing the sash is derived from Wool and wearing the sash is derived from European culture.European culture.

L’Assomption SashesL’Assomption Sashes

• These sashes were woven in large numbers These sashes were woven in large numbers first for the North West Company and then for first for the North West Company and then for the Hudson’s Bay Company as they were an the Hudson’s Bay Company as they were an important article of barter throughout the important article of barter throughout the north. north.

• The sashs made for trade were sold mainly to The sashs made for trade were sold mainly to the Métis in the Red River settlement and to the Métis in the Red River settlement and to French Canadians. French Canadians.

The Standardized SashThe Standardized Sash

• Some claim that the art of sash making was Some claim that the art of sash making was lost once the sash became standardized. The lost once the sash became standardized. The demand for cheap articles brought about the demand for cheap articles brought about the production of a mechanically woven sash in production of a mechanically woven sash in England for the Hudson’s Bay Company. England for the Hudson’s Bay Company.

• These manufactured sashes were less durable These manufactured sashes were less durable and attractive than the hand woven variety, and attractive than the hand woven variety, and they almost led to the abandonment of and they almost led to the abandonment of the art of finger weaving. the art of finger weaving.

Who Made the SashWho Made the Sash

• Before the sash was produced in standardized form, Before the sash was produced in standardized form, the workers made these sashes by the dozens.the workers made these sashes by the dozens.

• The workers were said to have worked from early The workers were said to have worked from early dawn until ten or eleven at night, for less than 30 dawn until ten or eleven at night, for less than 30 cents a day. cents a day.

• One means to make a sash required the weaver to tie One means to make a sash required the weaver to tie one end of the length of thread to a ceiling beam and one end of the length of thread to a ceiling beam and the other to a long nail on the floor. Two wooden the other to a long nail on the floor. Two wooden sticks would be fastened to the middle of the threads sticks would be fastened to the middle of the threads to hold them firmly in place. The weaver would then to hold them firmly in place. The weaver would then start at the middle of the threads and work towards start at the middle of the threads and work towards the end tied to the nail on the floor.the end tied to the nail on the floor.

Quality of the SashQuality of the Sash

A top quality sash, using 300 to 400 fine waxed A top quality sash, using 300 to 400 fine waxed woolen threads, usually took about 200 hours woolen threads, usually took about 200 hours to complete. A lower quality sash made from to complete. A lower quality sash made from around 100 thicker woolen threads could be around 100 thicker woolen threads could be made in 70-80 hours. made in 70-80 hours.

The Colours in the Métis The Colours in the Métis SashSash

The sash has many interconnected threads. The The sash has many interconnected threads. The main colours are: red, blue, black, white, and main colours are: red, blue, black, white, and yellow. Red represents the historical colour of yellow. Red represents the historical colour of the sash whereas blue and white represents the sash whereas blue and white represents the Métis flag. Green represents growth and the Métis flag. Green represents growth and prosperity whereas black signifies the dark prosperity whereas black signifies the dark period of Métis history where Métis people period of Métis history where Métis people suffered dispossession and suppression. suffered dispossession and suppression.

The Colours in the Métis The Colours in the Métis SashSash

Traditionally Sashes were individualized, Traditionally Sashes were individualized, families and communities would often design families and communities would often design and develop their own pattern and colours. and develop their own pattern and colours. Oftentimes a person could identify a strangers Oftentimes a person could identify a strangers home community by their sash.home community by their sash.

The Wool of the SashThe Wool of the Sash

• The traditional wool used by the weavers was The traditional wool used by the weavers was a lot different from that used for knitting or a lot different from that used for knitting or weaving. The wool was dyed with weaving. The wool was dyed with presumably vegetable and wood dyes and presumably vegetable and wood dyes and indigo. indigo.

The Tied Off EndsThe Tied Off Ends

Purposes of the SashPurposes of the Sash

• A belt to keep a coat closed.A belt to keep a coat closed.

• A scarf and muffler to keep warm in the harsh winters.A scarf and muffler to keep warm in the harsh winters.

• A wash cloth and towel.A wash cloth and towel.

• A first aid kit.A first aid kit.

• An emergency sewing kit.An emergency sewing kit.

• A saddle blanket.A saddle blanket.

• A money belt.A money belt.

• And many more.And many more.

The Purpose of the The Purpose of the Sash TodaySash Today

• Modern Sashes are mainly woven on a four Modern Sashes are mainly woven on a four harness loom and many finger-weaving harness loom and many finger-weaving programs are taught through cultural programs are taught through cultural institutes, museums, and art classes both in institutes, museums, and art classes both in Quebec and western Canada. Quebec and western Canada.

• The traditional patterns are still used, the The traditional patterns are still used, the arrowhead sash is acknowledged as the arrowhead sash is acknowledged as the recognized symbol of the Métis people.recognized symbol of the Métis people.

• The Métis sash continues to be worn with The Métis sash continues to be worn with pride and dignity. pride and dignity.

A Finger Woven SashA Finger Woven Sash

A Sign of Recognition A Sign of Recognition

Métis communities often honour the social, Métis communities often honour the social, cultural, or political contributions of talented cultural, or political contributions of talented Métis by awarding them the “Order of the Métis by awarding them the “Order of the Sash.” Sash.”

Awarding the sash is a means of expressing Awarding the sash is a means of expressing the preserving Métis identity and culture, the preserving Métis identity and culture, while striving toward self-determination. while striving toward self-determination.

ReferencesReferences

• The Métis: memorable events and The Métis: memorable events and memorable personalities George R. D.Goulet memorable personalities George R. D.Goulet - Terry Goulet - FabJob – 2006- Terry Goulet - FabJob – 2006

• Assomption Sash Marius Barbeau- 1984Assomption Sash Marius Barbeau- 1984

• www.metismuseum.ca - The Sash Darren R. - The Sash Darren R. PrefontainePrefontaine

• www.metismuseum.ca - Traditional Métis - Traditional Métis Clothing Patrick YoungClothing Patrick Young

• http://www.northwestjournal.ca/sash.html - Making an Arrowhead SashMaking an Arrowhead Sash