Museum Collections Up Close : MNHS.ORG » Ojibwe Indians

Ojibwe Bandolier Bag

Jason Onerheim — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 06:01:01 +0000

An Ojibwe loom-woven and spot-stitched bandolier bag with front pocket. Exhibited at the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893 as part of the Becker County Indian Exhibit and attributed to the “Becker County Indian Industries.” This bandolier bag is shown hanging on the left in a photograph of the “American Indian collection of Mrs. Jessie C. Yeats, Becker County, Minnesota” (#4969) from the Becker County Historical Society. Mrs. Jessie C West (misspelling for photograph) was Becker County’s representative at the Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 1893.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this bag in our collections database.

Child’s Beaded Coat

Jason Onerheim — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 06:01:18 +0000

A children’s buckskin coat with beaded floral motifs on the front and back that are backed with newspaper. On the inside of the jacket is a painted figure with long legs and taloned feet holding a pipe in its left hand and a plumed object in its right. There are two types of red cloth ribbon trim and fringe along the seams and bottom. Jacket is most likely Crow, circa 1900.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this coat in our collections database.

Memorial Quilt

Jason Onerheim — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 06:01:01 +0000

A memorial quilt made for Margaret Hill, member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, in 2009. The quilt was created by two of her students, Jackie Anderson and Cecelia Olson. The rectangular machine-quilted quilt includes 15 color photo-transferred images showing Hill either teaching or working on basketry and beadwork projects and also illustrating her finished work.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this quilt in our collections database.

Beaded Gloves

Jason Onerheim — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 06:01:54 +0000

A pair of Ojibwe leather gauntlets decorated with floral beadwork. Dated circa 1900-1950.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view these gloves in our collections database.

Ojibwe Bandolier Bag

Jason Onerheim — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 05:01:21 +0000

An Ojibwe black velvet and dark blue wool bandolier bag spot-stitched with a rabbit track pattern of multi-color glass seed beads on a white bead background. Probably made in the late 1890s.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this bag in our collections database.

Ojibwe Jacket

Jason Onerheim — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 05:01:07 +0000

A deerskin jacket purchased by the staff of Camp Kamaji at Cass Lake, Minnesota, from a local Ojibwe craftsperson, likely Leech Lake Band. The coat is decorated with appliqués of cut glass beads sewn to bands of leather that are edged with cotton cloth; the back yoke is constructed in a similar manner. Probably from the 1930s.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this jacket in our collections database.

Pow-Wow Button

Jason Onerheim — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 05:01:42 +0000

A button that reads, “Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa – 21st Annual Pow-wow / August 21, 22, 23, 1987″ in white on a blue background with a picture of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe tribal logo.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this button in our collections database.

Ojibwe Beaded Mittens

Jason Onerheim — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 05:01:33 +0000

A pair of Ojibwe leather mittens decorated with fringe and floral beadwork. Dated circa 1900-1950.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view these mittens in our collections database.

Bandolier Bag

Jason Onerheim — Mon, 16 May 2016 05:01:40 +0000

An Ojibwe bandolier bag is decorated with beadwork in a hexagonal pattern over the bag and strap. The hexagonal pattern stops at the pocket of the bag and is then decorated with a beaded floral design. Probably made in the 1910s.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this bag in our collections database.

Makak

Jason Onerheim — Wed, 04 May 2016 05:01:15 +0000

An Ojibwe birchbark makak decorated with scraped floral designs. Used in pageants held at Itasca State Park, Minnesota, in the early-to-mid 1900s. The pageants were written by Jack Rohr to celebrate the anniversary of the Schoolcraft exploration of the source of the Mississippi River.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this makak in our collections database.

Ojibwe Gloves

Jason Onerheim — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 05:01:05 +0000

A pair of Ojibwe leather gauntlets decorated with floral beadwork. Dated circa 1900-1950.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view these gloves in our collections database.

Ojiwbe Dance Apron

Jason Onerheim — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 06:01:50 +0000

This dance apron or breech cloth was owned and worn by George Peake, also known as Little Moose, an Ojibwe dramatic reader and story teller from the White Earth Nation. Polychrome floral bead work on black velvet, edges bound with red cloth tape, backed with black silk fabric. It forms part of a costume with the vest, 1995.95.1.1. Possibly made by Nora Reedfield of Mankato, MN.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this apron in our collections database.

Ojibwe Beaded Bag

Jason Onerheim — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 06:01:09 +0000

An Ojibwe beaded purse with floral design. Dated to the early 20th century.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this bag in our collections database.

Ojibwe Family

Jason Onerheim — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 06:01:27 +0000

A photograph showing 5 members of an Ojibwe family in the early 1900s.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this photograph in our collections database.

Ojibwe Woman

Jason Onerheim — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 05:01:01 +0000

A tintype photograph of a young Ojibwe woman wearing winter clothing. Made in the 1880s.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this photograph in our collections database.

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Beaded Belt

Jason Onerheim — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 05:01:58 +0000

An Ojibwe belt spot-beaded with a multicolor floral pattern on one side against a light blue background. It has a frayed green cloth tape border and incorporated into the upper right corner of the beadwork is “Ag / tit i/ li / Dom”, possibly the signature of maker A. G. Titilidom. The belt was purchased in the Leech Lake, Minnesota, area in 1970.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this belt in our collections database.

Wedding Moccasins

Jason Onerheim — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 05:01:51 +0000

A pair of white leather Ojibwe women’s moccasins. Each has a white velvet vamp with spot-beaded floral designs and a white satin interior. There are lace ties at the top. Made and worn by Cheryl Minnema, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Minnesota, for her wedding in 1999. See also other wedding pieces, ID Numbers 2014.163.1, 2014.163.2 and 2014.163.3.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view these moccasins in our collections database.

Saddle Blanket

Jason Onerheim — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 05:01:35 +0000

A black velvet saddle blanket decorated with beadwork. Owned by Frank Herman Kratka of Thief River Falls, Minnesota and dated circa 1890. Possibly Ojibwe.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this blanket in our collections database.

Ojibwe Bandolier Bag

Jason Onerheim — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 05:01:22 +0000

An Ojibwe black velvet bandolier bag featuring spot-stitched pocket, panel and strap decorated with multi-color symmetrical floral and vine motifs. All edges are bound with yellow fabric tape and the bag and strap are lined with tan cotton cloth. There are beaded yarn tassels along the base. Made in the late 1800s.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this bag in our collections database.

Jingle Dress

Jason Onerheim — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 05:01:42 +0000

The top half of a beaded jingle dress. Made by the Ojibwe at the Leech Lake Indian Reservation, Minnesota, and dated circa 1930-1939.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this dress in our collections database.

Ojibwe Epaulets

Jason Onerheim — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 05:01:59 +0000

A pair of beadwork epaulets for the shoulders of a shirt. Made by the Ojibwe and dated circa 1910.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view these epaulets in our collections database.

Ojibwe Creel

Jason Onerheim — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 05:01:29 +0000

An Ojibwe fishing creel made from reeds stained from blackberries, dated circa 1920s.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this creel in our collections database.

Bandolier Bag

Jason Onerheim — Mon, 11 May 2015 05:01:58 +0000

An Ojibwe bandolier bag with a beaded floral pattern most likely made in the 1890s. It was reportedly obtained through William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this bag in our collections database.

Beaded Jacket

Jason Onerheim — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 05:01:11 +0000

A buckskin scout coat with beadwork and fur trim, possibly made by the Cree or Ojibwe. It was made the early 1900s.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this jacket in our collections database.

Beaded Wall Hanging

Jason Onerheim — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 05:01:55 +0000

An Ojibwe loom-beaded wall hanging featuring floral design. This item was purchased in the area of Leech Lake, Minnesota, from members of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa who would travel south to gather wild rice. Made in the early 1900s.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this wall hanging in our collections database.

Ojibwe Beaded Fob

Jason Onerheim — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 06:01:34 +0000

A buckskin fob with loom-beaded design of two turkeys on a blue background and beaded boarder with a metal snap closure at the top. Purchased at the Red Lake Indian Reservation, Minnesota, circa 1932.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this fob in our collections database.

Beadwork Fragment

Jason Onerheim — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 06:01:51 +0000

A piece of buckskin (probably top of moccasin or vamp) with incomplete beadwork with needle still attached with thread. Collected by Frances Densmore and donated to the Minnesota Historical Society in 1930. Possibly attributed to the Ojibwe.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this fragment in our collections database.

Mille Lacs Ojibwe Grass Dance vest

Jason Onerheim — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 06:01:12 +0000

A small Mille Lacs Ojibwe grass dance vest made in the 1960s or 70s.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this vest in our collections database.

Ojibwe Beaded Bag

Jason Onerheim — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 06:01:19 +0000

A small leather bag with a rounded bottom and a straight top edge. Both sides are beaded with opaque glass beads in a floral beadwork motif on a translucent bead background. The exterior edges are bound with red cloth tape. Made in Blackduck, Minnesota.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this bag in our collections database.

Bandolier Bag

Jason Onerheim — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 06:01:27 +0000

A White Earth Ojiwbe bandolier bag made in the early 1900s and owned by Darwin S. Hall who was chairman of the Chippewa Indian Commission.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this bag in our collections database.

Beaded Bag

Jason Onerheim — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 05:01:08 +0000

A small leather drawstring bag with beaded floral designs, made in Blackduck, MN sometime in the early 1900s.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this bag in our collections database.

Ojibwe Bandolier Bag

Jason Onerheim — Wed, 07 May 2014 04:59:12 +0000

An Ojibwe loom-woven beaded bandolier bag with geometric flower designs; circa 1890-1930.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this bag in our collections database.

Beaded Smoking Jacket

Jason Onerheim — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 14:30:28 +0000

A smoking jacket given to Stafford King in the early 1920s at his induction into the White Earth Band of Ojibwa. Jacket is of chocolate brown velvet with a black velvet collar, a frog and cord front closure and “‘The Hastings’/ BENEDICT & TURNER” label on interior. Appliqué includes floral beadwork and tin jingle cones on the collar, floral beadwork on the cuffs, and jingle cones and other tinwork stitched at the breast and hips.

This jacket can be seen in person in our current Library Lobby display of Native American beadwork. It is open during regular Library hours.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this jacket in our collections database.

Ojibwa bandolier bag

Jason Onerheim — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 14:30:00 +0000

Ojibwe beaded velvet bandolier bag with tree, leaf and flower motifs.

For details, view this bag in our collections database.

Ojibwa knife sheath

Jason Onerheim — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 14:30:38 +0000

Ojibwa leather knife sheath with bead and quillwork decoration, made by Becker County Indian Industries for exhibit at Columbian Exposition, Chicago, IL, 1893.

For details, view this sheath in our collections database.

Ojibwa bandolier bag

Jason Onerheim — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 14:30:32 +0000

Ojibwa bandolier bag with front pocket. Pocket panel of loomed seed beads has geometric motifs, is attached to cloth backing and features integrated tabs finished with wool yarn tassels. Panel above the pocket features a spot-stitched, embroidered floral motif. Loomed seed bead panels are attached to the cloth strap.

For details, view this bag in our collections database.

Birchbark makak

Lizzie Ehrenhalt — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:30:03 +0000

Birchbark makak with a braided basswood handle made by Margaret Hill of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians no later than 2009. The makak’s rim is woven into a vertical zig-zag pattern with blue fibers. Directly beneath the blue fibers is a zig-zag border cut out of a darker color birchbark. The makak’s lid has the same vertical woven pattern around its edge. A circular piece of birchbark with a zig-zag edge decorates the center; a birchbark handle attaches to the top.

Ojibwe earrings

Lizzie Ehrenhalt — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:01:42 +0000

Pair of Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) earrings made out of birchbark with silvertone screwback findings. Purchased in Wisconsin; created between 1900 and 1950.

For details, view the earrings in our online collections database.

Ojibwe family portrait

Lizzie Ehrenhalt — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:30:53 +0000

An Ojibwe family poses for a portrait in a photographer’s studio circa 1905.

For details, view the photograph in our online collections database.

Ojibwe jingle dress

Lizzie Ehrenhalt — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:30:15 +0000

Sleeveless velvet jingle dress made by Mary Bigwind of the White Earth Indian Reservation in northwestern Minnesota for her granddaughter, Madeline Boswell. Boswell wore the dress while dancing at pow-wows when she was a teenager in the mid-1930s. The dress is decorated at the neckline, waistline, and double hem with jingle cones made from tin snuff cans; beads; and satin ribbons trimmed with sequins.

For details, view the dress in our online collections database.

Tintype of Ojibwe family

Lizzie Ehrenhalt — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 15:30:12 +0000

Tintype photograph of an Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) family group created circa 1870. Photographer unknown.

For details, view the tintype in our online collections database.

Ojibwe birch bark makak

Lizzie Ehrenhalt — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:30:52 +0000

Birch bark makak (basket) with floral embroidery made by Rebecca LaFromboise of Redby, Minnesota. The basket is assembled with basswood (linden) lacing. The exterior edging consists of four evenly spaced birch bark triangles laced to the rim and secured under wood strip reinforcements. The front wall face of the basket is decorated with a floral motif featuring a three-petal flower, one leaf and three curled stem extensions. The motif is embroidered with dyed porcupine quills in shades of red, yellow, light green and dark green.

A card in the basket includes this statement by the artist:

When our Ojibwe ancestor’s [sic] came out of The Big Woods [of] Minnesota and Wisconsin 250 years ago and migrated west onto the Northern Plains of the Dakota’s, they brought with them the ancient art form of birchbark work. These decorative baskets were used for utilitarian purposes. The bark is white birch, the rim is made of ash, and the twine is bass wood fiber. We call these baskets Wigizi Mokok (Birchbark baskets). I and my family are Chippewa from the Turtle MT. Band and reside in Dunseith, N.D. at the heart of Turtle Island, enjoy Megwetch (Thank You).

For details, view the makak in our online collections database.

Ojibwe beaded moccasins

Lizzie Ehrenhalt — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:30:29 +0000

Pair of leather moccasins made in the late nineteenth century. The black velvet cuff and vamp are decorated with metal faceted and glass seed beads arranged in a floral motif. Predominant colors are clear, white, purples, yellows, oranges, blues, greens, and reds. The cuff and tongue are trimmed with a purple silk ribbon that serves as a tie closure.

For details, view the moccasins in our online collections database.

Bandolier bag

Lizzie Ehrenhalt — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:30:42 +0000

Ojibwe cloth bandolier bag with front pocket. The bag is spot-stitch decorated and has multicolored glass seed beads arranged in a floral motif on a white bead background. Created between 1860 and 1900; collected by Bishop Henry Benjamin Whipple.

For details, view the bag in our online collections database.

Ojibwe beaded hide dress and belt

Lizzie Ehrenhalt — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:30:19 +0000

Dress and belt worn by Elizabeth Sherer Russell while working for the Chippewa Indian Nursing Service between 1923 and 1931. Made by an unknown maker belonging to the White Earth Nation of Ojibwe. The beaded, tanned hide dress has spot-stitched sleeves with floral pattern beadwork. Strips of leather fringe are sewn at the sleeve seams, side seams, and skirt hem. The belt consists of floral spot-stitched curvilinear beadwork on hide, trimmed with light green silk ribbon and backed with pink silk. The beads are primarily pinks, green, purple and orange.

Wadena and Joseph Charette

Lizzie Ehrenhalt — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:30:43 +0000

The Ojibwe chief Wadena and Civil War veteran Joseph Charette (also a chief) pose for a photograph at the White Earth Indian Reservation in 1907. Charette, right, was also known as Joe or Joseph Critt, as well as by his Ojibwe name, Wenji-maadab.

For more details, view the photograph in our Visual Resources Database, where you’ll find additional images of Charette:

Chief Joseph Charette, White Earth (1897)
Chief Mich-e-me-ge-shick, Joe Charette, Theodore Beaulieu and unidentified man, White Earth (ca. 1905)
Chief Joseph Charette and unidentified Ojibwe man, White Earth (1908-1916)
Joseph Charette, White Earth (1910)

Lace-making pillow

Lizzie Ehrenhalt — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:56:56 +0000

Lace-making roller pillow with lace in progress on the roller and twenty bobbins supplying thread. Twenty threads attached to the bobbins are crossed and twisted over each other according to the pattern laid out on the pillowed roller to make a continuous lace. Pins keep the thread in place on the roller while work is in progress. Used by Dakota or Ojibwe Indians; date unknown.

For more details, view the pillow in our online catalog.