"I spent three weeks in Unaman-shipu (La Romaine) on the Quebec Lower North Shore in February and March 2008. My Innu Mom, Alice Bellefleur, asked me to flog a number of her craft items in St. John's upon my return. These were sold almost instantly."So writes my long-time friend and paddling buddy, anthropologist Peter Armitage. He goes on to say that Alice Bellefleur:
"takes commissions, mostly moccasins, mittens and knitted wool socks. ..if you're interested in placing an order, send me the outline of your foot drawn on a piece of paper (in the case of moccasins and socks). Same thing for an order of mittens - send me the outline of your hand drawn on a piece of paper. Mom is 75 years old and never stops making crafts."
If you're the shopping type, I can't imagine a better gift - or reason to buy - than a pair of these exquisite hand-made items. And you'd be supporting an important local, sustainable and aboriginal economy.
See Peter's site for full details and more photos of crafts.
9 comments:
OMG... they're gorgeous! Perhaps a taller, waterproof pair for my SOF boat! With the beadwork, naturally...
Hi Michael,
yes, they are gorgeous.
backing up.... have you left the northern hemisphere???>
`
Nope. Not unless they've moved Georgia!
Hi Michael,
For your SOF boat, you need a pair of sealskin boats (kamiks) from Nfld or Labrador. Equally gorgeous and more waterproof. A few folks wear them around (with rubbers when it's sloppy).
See photo
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/online/exhibitions/romance/graphics/large/inuit_heart_boots.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/online/exhibitions/romance/boots.asp&h=308&w=350&sz=16&hl=en&start=15&um=1&tbnid=jp9cXlVbpoEgGM:&tbnh=106&tbnw=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsealskin%2Bboots%2Bphoto%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7DACA
Neil
Hi Alison,
Can you post the link to Peter's web site?
Thanks,
Neil
Hi again,
Another link for Nfld sealskin boots:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2006/03/31/nf_sealskin_boots_20060331.html
Neil
Hi Neil,
thanks for the reminder. Had hyperlinked Peter's Wolverine site but some glitch in blogspot refused to do it - had meant to go back again. It's now working.
A
lovely craft work from Alice, at 75 she has a lifetime if talent and it shows. I hope these are crafts that are being passed on and learned by the 'younger' generrations. I learned a lot from my grandmother.
Claire- couple of years ago I met an Innu woman who made Tea Dolls, magnificent works (they're stuffed with tea - traditionally used by the children when families went into bush - tea would be replaced by rags or moss as needed). Unfortunately, she had not found much interest by younger people. But that may change as the girls get into their 20s & 30s and realize the beauty & importance of these crafts. And they also fetch a decent price now as collector items.
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