The M

1
The Métis Sash

• The history as well as purposes of the sash

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The Métis Sash

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

3
A Sash
4
The Sash Came from

• French Canadian weavers from LAssomption which
  was a small town in Quebec made the Assomption
  Sash which was known for the arrowhead designs.
• In time many of the Metis became voyagers and
  wore the sash, therefore the word Assomption was
  dropped in favor of the name Metis Sash.

5
Different Styles

• In Western Canada, the sash is associated with
  the Métis however in Central and Eastern Canada
  the sash is associated with traditional French
  Canadian Acadian and First Nation culture.
• Each of these groups wore a variety of sash.
  The Métis wore ceinture flechee or arrow
  belt.

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An Arrowhead Sash
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The History of the Métis Sash

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

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LAssomption Sashes

• These sashes were woven in large numbers first
  for the North West Company and then for the
  Hudsons Bay Company as they were an important
  article of barter throughout the north.
• The sashs made for trade were sold mainly to the
  Métis in the Red River settlement and to French
  Canadians.

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The Standardized Sash

• Some claim that the art of sash making was lost
  once the sash became standardized. The demand for
  cheap articles brought about the production of a
  mechanically woven sash in England for the
  Hudsons Bay Company.
• These manufactured sashes were less durable and
  attractive than the hand woven variety, and they
  almost led to the abandonment of the art of
  finger weaving.

10
Who Made the Sash

• Before the sash was produced in standardized
  form, the workers made these sashes by the
  dozens.
• The workers were said to have worked from early
  dawn until ten or eleven at night, for less than
  30 cents a day.
• One means to make a sash required the weaver to
  tie one end of the length of thread to a ceiling
  beam and the other to a long nail on the floor.
  Two wooden sticks would be fastened to the middle
  of the threads to hold them firmly in place. The
  weaver would then start at the middle of the
  threads and work towards the end tied to the nail
  on the floor.

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Quality of the Sash

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

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The Colours in the Métis Sash

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

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The Colours in the Métis Sash

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

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The Wool of the Sash

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

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The Tied Off Ends
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Purposes of the Sash

• A belt to keep a coat closed.
• A scarf and muffler to keep warm in the harsh
  winters.
• A wash cloth and towel.
• A first aid kit.
• An emergency sewing kit.
• A saddle blanket.
• A money belt.
• And many more.

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The Purpose of the Sash Today

• Modern Sashes are mainly woven on a four harness
  loom and many finger-weaving programs are taught
  through cultural institutes, museums, and art
  classes both in Quebec and western Canada.
• The traditional patterns are still used, the
  arrowhead sash is acknowledged as the recognized
  symbol of the Métis people.
• The Métis sash continues to be worn with pride
  and dignity.

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A Finger Woven Sash
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A Sign of Recognition

• Métis communities often honour the social,
  cultural, or political contributions of talented
  Métis by awarding them the Order of the Sash.
• Awarding the sash is a means of expressing the
  preserving Métis identity and culture, while
  striving toward self-determination.

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References

• The Métis memorable events and memorable
  personalities George R. D.Goulet - Terry Goulet -
  FabJob 2006
• Assomption Sash Marius Barbeau- 1984
• www.metismuseum.ca - The Sash Darren R.
  Prefontaine
• www.metismuseum.ca - Traditional Métis Clothing
  Patrick Young
• http//www.northwestjournal.ca/sash.html - Making
  an Arrowhead Sash