In the summer of 2019, I was working as an interpreter at the Louis Riel National Historic Site located in Winnipeg, MB. It was during this summer that I really dove into beadwork, as we were encouraged to practice “historically accurate” hobbies during the slow periods between tours. It was also the summer I decided to make my own traditional octopus bag, also known as un sac a feu or a fire bag. Octopus bags earned their name because of the eight feet that hang below it. The feet below mine aren’t functional and are there merely for decoration, however some artists sewed together the feet to create these mini pockets to hold michin (medicine) and pipes. This bag took me eight months to complete, working on it almost every day. It taught me a lot about patience, sewing and the craftsmanship behind these works of art. It also taught me to recognize the love and labour our grandmothers had for their children, and how being adorned in these pieces was a way in which our grandmothers wrapped you up in their love.

My mother helped me every step of the way in its production so a big maarsii to her. And a maarsi to Lawrie Barkwell for if it wasn’t for his encouragement I wouldn’t have made one.