- Other Name
- OBSIDIAN CORE
- Date Range From
- 4000BP
- Date Range To
- 1700
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- OBSIDIAN
- Catalogue Number
- P20150027000
2 images
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Other Name
- OBSIDIAN CORE
- Date Range From
- 4000BP
- Date Range To
- 1700
- Materials
- OBSIDIAN
- No. Pieces
- 1
- Height
- 8.5
- Length
- 32.7
- Width
- 24.7
- Description
- SHINY, BLACK OBSIDIAN ROCK. VARIOUS GROOVES AND FLAKE SCARS ON THE OVERALL SURFACE OF THE ROCK.
- Subjects
- MASONRY & STONEWORKING T&E
- INDIGENOUS
- Historical Association
- ETHNOGRAPHIC
- ARCHAEOLOGY
- History
- THIS OBSIDIAN ROCK WAS DONATED ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2015 BY NANCY BIGGERS IN MEMORY OF HER LATE PARENTS, BOYD AND MARY BIGGERS. IT WAS LOCATED ON THE FAMILY FARM BY BOYD BIGGERS. ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT GIVEN BY NANCY AT THE TIME OF DONATION, "... FARMERS NEED TO CLEAR THEIR LAND OF ... ROCKS IN ORDER TO PLANT AND HARVEST THEIR FIELDS. BOYD WAS DOING THIS ONE DAY (IN THE EARLY 1980S) AND CAME ACROSS A BEAUTIFUL SHINY BLACK ROCK. HE WAS IMPRESSED BY [ITS] COLOURING AND THE VARIOUS GROOVES, SO RATHER THAN THROWING IT ON TO THE PILE WITH THE OTHER ROCKS, HE DECIDED TO TAKE IT HOME. ... MARY, BEING A SCHOOL TEACHER, TOLD HIM THAT IT APPEARED TO BE OBSIDIAN, WHICH THE ABORIGINALS USED TO MAKE ARROWHEADS AND TOOLS. MARY RETIRED FROM TEACHING IN 1986 AND THUS BOYD DECIDED TO SELL THE FARM. THEY MOVED TO LETHBRIDGE ... [AND] THE OBSIDIAN CAME WITH THEM ... AS IT WAS A REMINDER OF THEIR FARM LIFE. IT WAS USED AS A DECORATIVE PIECE IN BOTH OF THE HOMES IN WHICH THEY LIVED IN LETHBRIDGE." ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2015, ARCHEOLOGIST, NEIL MIRAU, OF ARROW ARCHAEOLOGY LIMITED STATED VIA EMAIL THAT THE ROCK HAD BEEN BROUGHT TO THE AREA BY HUMANS AND THAT IT WAS RELATIVELY EASY TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE OBSIDIAN FROM ITS GENERAL APPEARANCE. HE WAS ALMOST CERTAIN THAT THIS PIECE OF OBSIDIAN CAME FROM THE OBSIDIAN CLIFFS IN WHAT IS NOW YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING. HE WROTE, “OBSIDIAN DOES NOT OCCUR NATURALLY IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA AND REALLY THE ONLY WAY FOR IT TO GET HERE, ESPECIALLY THIS TYPE OF ROCK IS TO BE CARRIED BY HUMANS. OBSIDIAN ... WAS PRIZED BY PAST CULTURES AND IT MAKES VERY ATTRACTIVE AND VERY SHARP TOOLS AND PROJECTILE POINTS. THIS PARTICULAR PIECE HAS FLAKE SCARS SHOWING THAT IT WAS WORKED BY HUMANS. IT WAS LIKELY, GIVEN ITS ‘VALUE,’ CARRIED BY ITS OWNER TO FLAKE PIECES OFF EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE TO MAKE A NEW TOOL. OBSIDIAN IS ONE OF THE RARE TYPES OF STONE THAT IS CURATED BY PAST HUMANS, THAT IS, ALTHOUGH HEAVY, THEY WOULD HAVE CARRIED IT WITH THEM TO MAKE TOOLS WITH.” HE ALSO WROTE THAT OBSIDIAN FROM WYOMING THAT HAS BEEN FOUND IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA HAS ARRIVED “EITHER THROUGH TRADE OR BY LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL OF PEOPLE FROM HERE TO THERE AND RETURN," AND THAT THERE IS EVIDENCE OF BOTH METHODS. MIRAU INFERS THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN DROPPED THERE THREE OR FOUR CENTURIES AGO, OR MANY THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO. SEE PERMANENT FILE FOR COPY OF THE NANCY BIGGER’S INFORMATION, EMAIL TRANSCRIPTS, MAPS OF THE LOCATION OF THE BIGGERS’ FARM WHERE ARTIFACT WAS FOUND, AND A PHOTOGRAPH OF BOYD AND MARY BIGGERS. 22 OCTOBER 2021 UPDATE: THE LABEL TEXT QUOTED BELOW WAS DEVELOPED WITH KAINAI ELDERS FOR A SUB-THEME WITHIN THE EXHIBIT ‘MADE IN’, TITLED ‘NIITSITAPISSKSAHKOYI’ AND INSTALLED WITHIN THE GALT IN 2021. ELDERS WHO PROVIDED MUSEUM CURATOR AIMEE BENOIT WITH DIRECTION ON SUBTHEME’S CONTENT INCLUDED: AAGOHH GISS STSISTIIGIIAAKII (MANY OFFERINGS WOMAN, GRETA MANY BEARS), GUUYII STAA BAAMUUGHKAA (WALKING ON TOP, RAYMOND MANY BEARS), NIINAA PIIKSII (CHIEF BIRD, MIKE BRUISED HEAD), MO’TOKAANII’PO (WALKING WITH A SCALP, HARRISON RED CROW) AND MIINIIPOKA (SACRED BERRY CHILD, PETER WEASEL MOCCASIN). THE GALT APPRECIATED THE GENEROSITY OF THE ELDERS WHO SHARED THEIR KNOWLEDGE FOR THIS EXHIBIT PROJECT. “AAPAOOKI (OBSIDIAN CORE): PRIZED FOR THE SHARP TOOLS AND PROJECTILE POINTS IT CAN PRODUCE, OBSIDIAN DOES NOT OCCUR NATURALLY IN WHAT IS NOW SOUTHERN ALBERTA. THIS LARGE PIECE LIKELY CAME FROM THE OBSIDIAN CLIFFS IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK AND WAS CARRIED OR TRADED NORTH. ‘NIITSITAPISSKSAHKOYI (REAL PEOPLE TERRITORY) WENT AS FAR AS OTAHKOITAH’TAYI (YELLOWSTONE RIVER). SOME OBSIDIAN WAS TRADED, BUT A LOT OF IT, THEY ACTUALLY PICKED IT AND BROUGHT IT HERE. THAT’S HOW FAR NIITSITAPI TRAVELLED.’ – NIINAA PIIKSII”
- Catalogue Number
- P20150027000
- Acquisition Date
- 2015-09
- Collection
- Museum
Images
HORN, FIRE PUNK
https://collections.galtmuseum.com/en/permalink/artifact1842
- Date Range From
- 1750
- Date Range To
- 1900
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- BUFFALO HORN, RAWHIDE, BUCKSKIN
- Catalogue Number
- P19641148000
1 image
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Date Range From
- 1750
- Date Range To
- 1900
- Materials
- BUFFALO HORN, RAWHIDE, BUCKSKIN
- No. Pieces
- 1
- Length
- 38.0
- Diameter
- 8.9
- Description
- BUFFALO HORN CONTAINER WITH A RAWHIDE CAP AND BUCKSKIN THONG. CAP SEWN WITH SINEW. HOLES APPEAR MACHINE DRILLED. BASE OF HORN SHOWS CUT MARKS.
- Subjects
- INDIGENOUS
- Historical Association
- ETHNOGRAPHIC
- History
- NORTHERN PLAINS INDIGENOUS CULTURE *UPDATE* IN 2015 COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT JANE EDMUNDSON ASKED TWO FORMER MEMBERS OF THE LETHBRIDGE JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, PHIL EDMUNDSON AND PAUL RUSZNAK, ABOUT THE FIRST NATIONS ARTIFACTS THAT THE GROUP DONATED TO THE GALT MUSEUM IN 1964, 1969, AND 1973. NEITHER RECALLED HOW THE JAYCEES CAME INTO OWNERSHIP OF THE ARTIFACTS, AS THEIR ACQUISITION PREDATED BOTH EDMUNDSON AND RUSZNAK’S MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHAMBER. RESEARCH CONDUCTED INTO LETHBRIDGE’S GURNEY MUSEUM FOUND A CONNECTION BETWEEN ITS PROPRIETOR, WALTER GURNEY, AND THE JAYCEES, WHO ACCORDING TO AN ARTICLE FROM THE APRIL 16, 1946 ISSUE OF THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD ADVOCATED ON GURNEY’S BEHALF FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE TO THE FORMER BOARD OF TRADE BUILDING WHERE THE MUSEUM WAS HOUSED. AN ARTICLE FROM THE JULY 13, 1948 ISSUE OF THE HERALD DESCRIBES SOME OF THE FIRST NATIONS ARTIFACTS ON DISPLAY IN THE MUSEUM: “TOMAHAWKS, ARROW HEADS, PEACE PIPES, BEAD AND LEATHER WORK, CLOTHING AND WOODCRAFT”. UPON THE CLOSURE OF THE MUSEUM AND SALE OF GURNEY’S COLLECTION TO BELMORE SCHULTZ OF THE ALTAMONT MUSEUM IN COUTTS, MENTION WAS MADE IN A HERALD ARTICLE FROM MAY 16, 1961 OF “HISTORICAL INDIAN RELICS THAT BELONG TO THE JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAVE BEEN RETAINED IN THE CITY AND WILL BE AVAILABLE WHEN PROPER DISPLAY FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE”. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE ARTIFACTS WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE JAYCEES BY GURNEY DURING THE DISSOLUTION OF HIS MUSEUM, BUT NO FURTHER CONFIRMATION WAS FOUND. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE GURNEY MUSEUM AND ITS COLLECTION, SEE RECORD P19890044001.
- UPDATE 16 AUGUST 2017: ON 25 JULY 2017, MUSEUM CURATOR AIMEE BENOIT FOUND EVIDENCE TO CONNECT THE INDIGENOUS COLLECTION DONATED BY THE LETHBRIDGE JAYCEES (AKA. JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE) WITH FORMER LETHBRIDGE RESIDENTS THE LATE FRED BOTSFORD AND HIS LATE DAUGHTER DOROTHY CLARK. NOTES MADE BY AIMEE ON THE DISCOVERY AS WELL AS RELEVANT CLIPPINGS FROM THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD CAN BE FOUND ATTACHED TO THE PERMANENT FILE OF P19641140000.
- Catalogue Number
- P19641148000
- Acquisition Date
- 1964-07
- Collection
- Museum
Images
- Date Range From
- 1800
- Date Range To
- 1900
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- BONE & STEEL
- Catalogue Number
- P19641173000
1 image
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Date Range From
- 1800
- Date Range To
- 1900
- Materials
- BONE & STEEL
- No. Pieces
- 1
- Height
- 12.5
- Length
- 30.0
- Width
- 3.8
- Description
- ORIGINAL BLADE AND HANDLE. BINDING POSSIBLY RECENT. SCRAPING TOOL
- Subjects
- INDIGENOUS
- Historical Association
- ETHNOGRAPHIC
- History
- NORTHERN PLAINS INDIGENOUS CULTURE. *UPDATE* IN 2015 COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT JANE EDMUNDSON ASKED TWO FORMER MEMBERS OF THE LETHBRIDGE JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, PHIL EDMUNDSON AND PAUL RUSZNAK, ABOUT THE FIRST NATIONS ARTIFACTS THAT THE GROUP DONATED TO THE GALT MUSEUM IN 1964, 1969, AND 1973. NEITHER RECALLED HOW THE JAYCEES CAME INTO OWNERSHIP OF THE ARTIFACTS, AS THEIR ACQUISITION PREDATED BOTH EDMUNDSON AND RUSZNAK’S MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHAMBER. RESEARCH CONDUCTED INTO LETHBRIDGE’S GURNEY MUSEUM FOUND A CONNECTION BETWEEN ITS PROPRIETOR, WALTER GURNEY, AND THE JAYCEES, WHO ACCORDING TO AN ARTICLE FROM THE APRIL 16, 1946 ISSUE OF THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD ADVOCATED ON GURNEY’S BEHALF FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE TO THE FORMER BOARD OF TRADE BUILDING WHERE THE MUSEUM WAS HOUSED. AN ARTICLE FROM THE JULY 13, 1948 ISSUE OF THE HERALD DESCRIBES SOME OF THE FIRST NATIONS ARTIFACTS ON DISPLAY IN THE MUSEUM: “TOMAHAWKS, ARROW HEADS, PEACE PIPES, BEAD AND LEATHER WORK, CLOTHING AND WOODCRAFT”. UPON THE CLOSURE OF THE MUSEUM AND SALE OF GURNEY’S COLLECTION TO BELMORE SCHULTZ OF THE ALTAMONT MUSEUM IN COUTTS, MENTION WAS MADE IN A HERALD ARTICLE FROM MAY 16, 1961 OF “HISTORICAL INDIAN RELICS THAT BELONG TO THE JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAVE BEEN RETAINED IN THE CITY AND WILL BE AVAILABLE WHEN PROPER DISPLAY FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE”. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE ARTIFACTS WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE JAYCEES BY GURNEY DURING THE DISSOLUTION OF HIS MUSEUM, BUT NO FURTHER CONFIRMATION WAS FOUND. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE GURNEY MUSEUM AND ITS COLLECTION, SEE RECORD P19890044001.
- UPDATE 16 AUGUST 2017: ON 25 JULY 2017, MUSEUM CURATOR AIMEE BENOIT FOUND EVIDENCE TO CONNECT THE INDIGENOUS COLLECTION DONATED BY THE LETHBRIDGE JAYCEES (AKA. JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE) WITH FORMER LETHBRIDGE RESIDENTS THE LATE FRED BOTSFORD AND HIS LATE DAUGHTER DOROTHY CLARK. NOTES MADE BY AIMEE ON THE DISCOVERY AS WELL AS RELEVANT CLIPPINGS FROM THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD CAN BE FOUND ATTACHED TO THE PERMANENT FILE OF P19641140000. 22 OCTOBER 2021 UPDATE: THE LABEL TEXT QUOTED BELOW WAS DEVELOPED WITH KAINAI ELDERS FOR A SUB-THEME WITHIN THE EXHIBIT ‘MADE IN’, TITLED ‘NIITSITAPISSKSAHKOYI’ AND INSTALLED WITHIN THE GALT IN 2021. ELDERS WHO PROVIDED MUSEUM CURATOR AIMEE BENOIT WITH DIRECTION ON SUBTHEME’S CONTENT INCLUDED: AAGOHH GISS STSISTIIGIIAAKII (MANY OFFERINGS WOMAN, GRETA MANY BEARS), GUUYII STAA BAAMUUGHKAA (WALKING ON TOP, RAYMOND MANY BEARS), NIINAA PIIKSII (CHIEF BIRD, MIKE BRUISED HEAD), MO’TOKAANII’PO (WALKING WITH A SCALP, HARRISON RED CROW) AND MIINIIPOKA (SACRED BERRY CHILD, PETER WEASEL MOCCASIN). THE GALT APPRECIATED THE GENEROSITY OF THE ELDERS WHO SHARED THEIR KNOWLEDGE FOR THIS EXHIBIT PROJECT. “MATTSIKAAN (HIDE SCRAPER): ‘THERE WERE DIFFERENT STYLES OF SCRAPERS; AS YOU CAN SEE THIS ONE HAS A METAL BLADE, AND IT WAS USED TO SCRAPE THE MEAT OFF THE HIDE.’ – GUUYII STAA BAAMUUGHKAA ‘WITH THE ELK HORN FLESHER, IT’S KIND OF SHAPED LIKE TEETH BUT IT’S NOT VERY SHARP ON THE EDGES; THE CORNERS ARE ROUNDED JUST A BIT. THE BLADES WERE NOT TOO SHARP, OTHERWISE YOU WOULD CUT THE HIDE.’ – AAGOHH GISS STSISTIIGIIAAKII ‘IT’S GOT A METAL BLADE, SO NATURALLY THAT WOULD BE A TRADE ITEM.’ – MO’TOKAANII’PO”
- Catalogue Number
- P19641173000
- Acquisition Date
- 1964-07
- Collection
- Museum
Images
TOOL, FLESHING
https://collections.galtmuseum.com/en/permalink/artifact1847
- Date Range From
- 1750
- Date Range To
- 1900
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- BONE, BUCKSKIN
- Catalogue Number
- P19738499000
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Date Range From
- 1750
- Date Range To
- 1900
- Materials
- BONE, BUCKSKIN
- No. Pieces
- 1
- Height
- 4.2
- Length
- 34.0
- Width
- 9.8
- Description
- BUCKSKIN STRAP. KNIFE MARKS ON ONE END. RED-BROWN COLOURATION. SCRAPING EDGE IS WORN.
- Subjects
- INDIGENOUS
- Historical Association
- ARCHAEOLOGY
- ETHNOGRAPHIC
- History
- PLAINS INDIGENOUS CULTURE.
- Catalogue Number
- P19738499000
- Acquisition Date
- 1973-01
- Collection
- Museum
- Date Range From
- 1800
- Date Range To
- 1900
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- HORN
- Catalogue Number
- P19739374000
1 image
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Date Range From
- 1800
- Date Range To
- 1900
- Materials
- HORN
- No. Pieces
- 1
- Length
- 15.9
- Width
- 6.0
- Description
- EDGE OF SPOON BOWL EXTENSIVELY NICKED. STEAMED, FLATTENED & HAND CARVED FROM MOUNTAIN GOAT HORN. SEE CONSERVATION REPORT
- Subjects
- INDIGENOUS
- FOOD SERVICE T&E
- Historical Association
- ETHNOGRAPHIC
- History
- PLATEAU INDIGENOUS CULTURE, PROBABLY TRADED INTO NORTHERN PLAINS.
- Catalogue Number
- P19739374000
- Acquisition Date
- 1964-07
- Collection
- Museum
Images
- Date Range From
- 1800
- Date Range To
- 1900
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- QUARTZITE, WOOD, RAWHIDE
- Catalogue Number
- P19641142000
1 image
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Date Range From
- 1800
- Date Range To
- 1900
- Materials
- QUARTZITE, WOOD, RAWHIDE
- No. Pieces
- 1
- Height
- 61
- Length
- 10.2
- Width
- 9.0
- Description
- GREY QUARTZITE. RECENT WOODEN HANDLE WITH RAWHIDE AND BUCKSKIN BINDINGS ATTACHED.
- Subjects
- INDIGENOUS
- Historical Association
- ARCHAEOLOGY
- History
- NORTHERN PLAINS INDIGENOUS CULTURE. TOOL IS PRE-HISTORIC, HANDLE CONTEMPORARY. *UPDATE* IN 2015 COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT JANE EDMUNDSON ASKED TWO FORMER MEMBERS OF THE LETHBRIDGE JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, PHIL EDMUNDSON AND PAUL RUSZNAK, ABOUT THE FIRST NATIONS ARTIFACTS THAT THE GROUP DONATED TO THE GALT MUSEUM IN 1964, 1969, AND 1973. NEITHER RECALLED HOW THE JAYCEES CAME INTO OWNERSHIP OF THE ARTIFACTS, AS THEIR ACQUISITION PREDATED BOTH EDMUNDSON AND RUSZNAK’S MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHAMBER. RESEARCH CONDUCTED INTO LETHBRIDGE’S GURNEY MUSEUM FOUND A CONNECTION BETWEEN ITS PROPRIETOR, WALTER GURNEY, AND THE JAYCEES, WHO ACCORDING TO AN ARTICLE FROM THE APRIL 16, 1946 ISSUE OF THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD ADVOCATED ON GURNEY’S BEHALF FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE TO THE FORMER BOARD OF TRADE BUILDING WHERE THE MUSEUM WAS HOUSED. AN ARTICLE FROM THE JULY 13, 1948 ISSUE OF THE HERALD DESCRIBES SOME OF THE FIRST NATIONS ARTIFACTS ON DISPLAY IN THE MUSEUM: “TOMAHAWKS, ARROW HEADS, PEACE PIPES, BEAD AND LEATHER WORK, CLOTHING AND WOODCRAFT”. UPON THE CLOSURE OF THE MUSEUM AND SALE OF GURNEY’S COLLECTION TO BELMORE SCHULTZ OF THE ALTAMONT MUSEUM IN COUTTS, MENTION WAS MADE IN A HERALD ARTICLE FROM MAY 16, 1961 OF “HISTORICAL INDIAN RELICS THAT BELONG TO THE JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAVE BEEN RETAINED IN THE CITY AND WILL BE AVAILABLE WHEN PROPER DISPLAY FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE”. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE ARTIFACTS WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE JAYCEES BY GURNEY DURING THE DISSOLUTION OF HIS MUSEUM, BUT NO FURTHER CONFIRMATION WAS FOUND. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE GURNEY MUSEUM AND ITS COLLECTION, SEE RECORD P19890044001.
- UPDATE 16 AUGUST 2017: ON 25 JULY 2017, MUSEUM CURATOR AIMEE BENOIT FOUND EVIDENCE TO CONNECT THE INDIGENOUS COLLECTION DONATED BY THE LETHBRIDGE JAYCEES (AKA. JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE) WITH FORMER LETHBRIDGE RESIDENTS THE LATE FRED BOTSFORD AND HIS LATE DAUGHTER DOROTHY CLARK. NOTES MADE BY AIMEE ON THE DISCOVERY AS WELL AS RELEVANT CLIPPINGS FROM THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD CAN BE FOUND ATTACHED TO THE PERMANENT FILE OF P19641140000.
- Catalogue Number
- P19641142000
- Acquisition Date
- 1964-07
- Collection
- Museum
Images
- Date Range From
- 1700
- Date Range To
- 1850
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- QUARTZITE, RAWHIDE, WOOD, CLOTH
- Catalogue Number
- P19641143000
1 image
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Date Range From
- 1700
- Date Range To
- 1850
- Materials
- QUARTZITE, RAWHIDE, WOOD, CLOTH
- No. Pieces
- 1
- Height
- 3.7
- Length
- 33
- Width
- 11.5
- Description
- WORKING SURFACE OF MAUL IS COVERED WITH RED OCHRE STAINS. CONSERVATION REPORT ON FILE.
- Subjects
- INDIGENOUS
- Historical Association
- ARCHAEOLOGY
- History
- PLAINS INDIGENOUS CULTURE *UPDATE* IN 2015 COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT JANE EDMUNDSON ASKED TWO FORMER MEMBERS OF THE LETHBRIDGE JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, PHIL EDMUNDSON AND PAUL RUSZNAK, ABOUT THE FIRST NATIONS ARTIFACTS THAT THE GROUP DONATED TO THE GALT MUSEUM IN 1964, 1969, AND 1973. NEITHER RECALLED HOW THE JAYCEES CAME INTO OWNERSHIP OF THE ARTIFACTS, AS THEIR ACQUISITION PREDATED BOTH EDMUNDSON AND RUSZNAK’S MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHAMBER. RESEARCH CONDUCTED INTO LETHBRIDGE’S GURNEY MUSEUM FOUND A CONNECTION BETWEEN ITS PROPRIETOR, WALTER GURNEY, AND THE JAYCEES, WHO ACCORDING TO AN ARTICLE FROM THE APRIL 16, 1946 ISSUE OF THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD ADVOCATED ON GURNEY’S BEHALF FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE TO THE FORMER BOARD OF TRADE BUILDING WHERE THE MUSEUM WAS HOUSED. AN ARTICLE FROM THE JULY 13, 1948 ISSUE OF THE HERALD DESCRIBES SOME OF THE FIRST NATIONS ARTIFACTS ON DISPLAY IN THE MUSEUM: “TOMAHAWKS, ARROW HEADS, PEACE PIPES, BEAD AND LEATHER WORK, CLOTHING AND WOODCRAFT”. UPON THE CLOSURE OF THE MUSEUM AND SALE OF GURNEY’S COLLECTION TO BELMORE SCHULTZ OF THE ALTAMONT MUSEUM IN COUTTS, MENTION WAS MADE IN A HERALD ARTICLE FROM MAY 16, 1961 OF “HISTORICAL INDIAN RELICS THAT BELONG TO THE JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAVE BEEN RETAINED IN THE CITY AND WILL BE AVAILABLE WHEN PROPER DISPLAY FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE”. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE ARTIFACTS WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE JAYCEES BY GURNEY DURING THE DISSOLUTION OF HIS MUSEUM, BUT NO FURTHER CONFIRMATION WAS FOUND. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE GURNEY MUSEUM AND ITS COLLECTION, SEE RECORD P19890044001.
- UPDATE 16 AUGUST 2017: ON 25 JULY 2017, MUSEUM CURATOR AIMEE BENOIT FOUND EVIDENCE TO CONNECT THE INDIGENOUS COLLECTION DONATED BY THE LETHBRIDGE JAYCEES (AKA. JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE) WITH FORMER LETHBRIDGE RESIDENTS THE LATE FRED BOTSFORD AND HIS LATE DAUGHTER DOROTHY CLARK. NOTES MADE BY AIMEE ON THE DISCOVERY AS WELL AS RELEVANT CLIPPINGS FROM THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD CAN BE FOUND ATTACHED TO THE PERMANENT FILE OF P19641140000.
- Catalogue Number
- P19641143000
- Acquisition Date
- 1964-07
- Collection
- Museum
Images
- Other Name
- HOLY WOMAN (TRADITIONAL)
- Date Range From
- 1800
- Date Range To
- 1900
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- BUCKSKIN, LACE, GLASS BEADS, SINEW, DENTALIUM SHELL,RAWHIDE, HUMAN HAIR
- Catalogue Number
- P19641192000
1 image
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Other Name
- HOLY WOMAN (TRADITIONAL)
- Date Range From
- 1800
- Date Range To
- 1900
- Materials
- BUCKSKIN, LACE, GLASS BEADS, SINEW, DENTALIUM SHELL,RAWHIDE, HUMAN HAIR
- No. Pieces
- 1
- Description
- 4.5 CM CIRCUMFERENCE. BLACK GLASS BEADS & DENTALIUM SHELL BEADS STRUNG ON BUCKSKIN THONG. HUMAN HAIR PENDANT WRAPPED WITH RAWHIDE & SINEW ATTACHED TO NECK THONG. 7 BLACK BEADS. CONSERVATION REPORT ON FILE.
- Subjects
- ADORNMENT
- PERSONAL SYMBOL
- INDIGENOUS
- Historical Association
- ETHNOGRAPHIC
- History
- NORTHERN PLAINS CULTURE - BLACKFOOT ORIGIN. WORN BY BLACKFOOT HOLY WOMAN DURING SUN DANCE CEREMONY. NECKLACE IS 1 OF THE TRADITIONAL PIECES OFHOLY WOMAN'S REGALIA. *UPDATE* IN 2015 COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT JANE EDMUNDSON ASKED TWO FORMER MEMBERS OF THE LETHBRIDGE JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, PHIL EDMUNDSON AND PAUL RUSZNAK, ABOUT THE FIRST NATIONS ARTIFACTS THAT THE GROUP DONATED TO THE GALT MUSEUM IN 1964, 1969, AND 1973. NEITHER RECALLED HOW THE JAYCEES CAME INTO OWNERSHIP OF THE ARTIFACTS, AS THEIR ACQUISITION PREDATED BOTH EDMUNDSON AND RUSZNAK’S MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHAMBER. RESEARCH CONDUCTED INTO LETHBRIDGE’S GURNEY MUSEUM FOUND A CONNECTION BETWEEN ITS PROPRIETOR, WALTER GURNEY, AND THE JAYCEES, WHO ACCORDING TO AN ARTICLE FROM THE APRIL 16, 1946 ISSUE OF THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD ADVOCATED ON GURNEY’S BEHALF FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE TO THE FORMER BOARD OF TRADE BUILDING WHERE THE MUSEUM WAS HOUSED. AN ARTICLE FROM THE JULY 13, 1948 ISSUE OF THE HERALD DESCRIBES SOME OF THE FIRST NATIONS ARTIFACTS ON DISPLAY IN THE MUSEUM: “TOMAHAWKS, ARROW HEADS, PEACE PIPES, BEAD AND LEATHER WORK, CLOTHING AND WOODCRAFT”. UPON THE CLOSURE OF THE MUSEUM AND SALE OF GURNEY’S COLLECTION TO BELMORE SCHULTZ OF THE ALTAMONT MUSEUM IN COUTTS, MENTION WAS MADE IN A HERALD ARTICLE FROM MAY 16, 1961 OF “HISTORICAL INDIAN RELICS THAT BELONG TO THE JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAVE BEEN RETAINED IN THE CITY AND WILL BE AVAILABLE WHEN PROPER DISPLAY FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE”. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE ARTIFACTS WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE JAYCEES BY GURNEY DURING THE DISSOLUTION OF HIS MUSEUM, BUT NO FURTHER CONFIRMATION WAS FOUND. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE GURNEY MUSEUM AND ITS COLLECTION, SEE RECORD P19890044001.
- UPDATE 16 AUGUST 2017: ON 25 JULY 2017, MUSEUM CURATOR AIMEE BENOIT FOUND EVIDENCE TO CONNECT THE INDIGENOUS COLLECTION DONATED BY THE LETHBRIDGE JAYCEES (AKA. JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE) WITH FORMER LETHBRIDGE RESIDENTS THE LATE FRED BOTSFORD AND HIS LATE DAUGHTER DOROTHY CLARK. NOTES MADE BY AIMEE ON THE DISCOVERY AS WELL AS RELEVANT CLIPPINGS FROM THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD CAN BE FOUND ATTACHED TO THE PERMANENT FILE OF P19641140000.
- Catalogue Number
- P19641192000
- Acquisition Date
- 1964-07
- Collection
- Museum
Images
- Other Name
- BONE & SHELL (SET)
- Date Range From
- 1800
- Date Range To
- 1900
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- GLASS BEADS, SHELLS, BONE, BUCKSKIN
- Catalogue Number
- P19738052000
1 image
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Other Name
- BONE & SHELL (SET)
- Date Range From
- 1800
- Date Range To
- 1900
- Materials
- GLASS BEADS, SHELLS, BONE, BUCKSKIN
- No. Pieces
- 2
- Diameter
- 20.3
- Description
- MADE OF WHITE GLASS BEADS (CYLINDRICAL TYPE), FLAT BONE BEADS, COWERY SHELLS STRUNG ON BUCKSKIN. CONSERVATION REPORT ON FILE.
- Subjects
- INDIGENOUS
- ADORNMENT
- Historical Association
- ETHNOGRAPHIC
- History
- NORTHERN PLAINS CULTURE. SHELLS PROBABLY TRADED FROM WEST COAST. TRADE NETWORKS FROM THE COAST TO THE INTERIOR ALREADY WELL ESTABLISHED BY TIME OF WHITE CONTACT. DENTALIUM & COWRY SHELLS WERE HIGHLY PRIZED TRADE ITEMS & WERE CONSIDERED BY SOME RESEARCHERS TO HAVE BEEN A FORM OF CURRENCY.
- Catalogue Number
- P19738052000
- Acquisition Date
- 1973-07
- Collection
- Museum
Images
- Other Name
- SACRED BUFFALO STONE
- Date Range From
- 1800
- Date Range To
- 1870
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Materials
- BUFFALO STONE
- Catalogue Number
- P19738064000
1 image
- Material Type
- Artifact
- Other Name
- SACRED BUFFALO STONE
- Date Range From
- 1800
- Date Range To
- 1870
- Materials
- BUFFALO STONE
- No. Pieces
- 1
- Height
- 3.9
- Length
- 7.9
- Width
- 5.5
- Description
- DARK BROWN BUFFALO STONE. SPALLS REMOVED FROM ONE LATERAL SURFACE.
- Subjects
- INDIGENOUS
- Historical Association
- ETHNOGRAPHIC
- History
- PLAINS INDIGENOUS. 8 NOVEMBER 2023 UPDATE—TEXT BELOW WAS RESULT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH KAINAI ELDERS ON INISKIM P19738057000 WHICH WAS INCLUDED IN GALT EXHIBIT IN 2021. THE LABEL TEXT QUOTED BELOW WAS DEVELOPED WITH KAINAI ELDERS FOR A SUB-THEME WITHIN THE EXHIBIT ‘MADE IN’, TITLED ‘NIITSITAPISSKSAHKOYI’ AND INSTALLED WITHIN THE GALT IN 2021. ELDERS WHO PROVIDED MUSEUM CURATOR AIMEE BENOIT WITH DIRECTION ON SUBTHEME’S CONTENT INCLUDED: AAGOHH GISS STSISTIIGIIAAKII (MANY OFFERINGS WOMAN, GRETA MANY BEARS), GUUYII STAA BAAMUUGHKAA (WALKING ON TOP, RAYMOND MANY BEARS), NIINAA PIIKSII (CHIEF BIRD, MIKE BRUISED HEAD), MO’TOKAANII’PO (WALKING WITH A SCALP, HARRISON RED CROW) AND MIINIIPOKA (SACRED BERRY CHILD, PETER WEASEL MOCCASIN). THE GALT APPRECIATED THE GENEROSITY OF THE ELDERS WHO SHARED THEIR KNOWLEDGE FOR THIS EXHIBIT PROJECT. “IINISSKIMM (BUFFALO STONE): ‘THE PEOPLE OF THE PAST, WHO ARE IN THE SPIRIT WORLD, THEY COME BACK TO SHOW US OR TEACH US. IN THIS WAY, AN OBJECT BECOMES SACRED. IT WAS USED TO HELP US, GUIDE US, IN WHATEVER CHALLENGE WE ENCOUNTERED. THIS PARTICULAR STONE IS A PETRIFIED ROCK OF ANIMALS FROM A LONG TIME AGO THAT EXISTED ON THIS LAND. IT WAS USED FOR HUNTING. YOU HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO HUNT; YOU HAVE TO SEARCH AND ASK IHTSIPAITAPI’YOPA (CREATOR) TO HELP. THAT’S WHAT IT WAS USED FOR. IINISSKIMM HAVE BEEN MODIFIED THROUGH THE CENTURIES AND HAVE BECOME SACRED. THEY ARE USED IN CEREMONIES AND IN SOME OF THE SACRED BUNDLES. THEY ARE PASSED ON FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.’ – MIINIIPOKA ‘I HAVEN’T HEARD OF OTHER TRIBES USING THE IINISSKIMM. I THINK NIITSITAPI, WE ARE THE ONLY ONES; NOBODY ELSE PRACTICES THAT, THE STORY OF THE IINISSKIMM. IT ORIGINATED HERE.’ – NIINAA PIIKSII”
- Catalogue Number
- P19738064000
- Acquisition Date
- 1973-07
- Collection
- Museum
Images
