Toys
(rattles, dolls, games) Toys
The Métis dolls were likely made out
of what they had around them. They were probably leather dolls, as well
as the crocheted, knitted and fabric dolls. There were likely balls in
the Métis toy box, as the Cree had balls they played used in games.
There were miniature objects like the parents’ tools. There would have
been miniature canoes, toy guns, and wooden knives. We know the girls
had miniature cradleboards because we have examples of them. They must
have had some form of dolls that they put in the cradleboard. Once
china-headed dolls were available in trade, they would have been
purchased for the girls.
One example of what parents did for their children was found in a HBC
journal. A father, a fur trade post master, ordered a fancy red Spanish
child’s saddle from London for his child. So, much like other items,
Métis children would have had access to European toys and clothes as
well as Aboriginal toys and clothes. Their baby toys were probably
aboriginal, including rattles, balls and dolls. Older children probably
moved fairly quickly into the adult world, and a lot of their play would
have taken place in the context of their chores. Their horses were
companions, and chores like berry picking became family / community
outings, like huge picnics. Another example of this type of quick
transition is the naming of personal items.
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Clothing
Needlework
Tools
(snowshoes, traps, scrapers)
Toys
(rattles, dolls, games)
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