Tipatshimuna 
Description:
Sheath made from white animal skin in three parts. Two front sections (approximately 2″ long and 7.5″ long) are stitched around edge of back part with ordinary black and white thread, forming slit between them. Both front sections heavily decorated with red, white, blue, gold and purple trade beads sewn in different patterns along horizontal rows, hem trimmed with white and purple beads. Carrying strap made from strip of white skin (approximately 40″ long and 1″ wide) sewn to edge of back section with ends knotted.
References:
Naskapi dictionary. James W. VanStone. 1982. The Speck Collection of Montagnais Material Culture From the Lower St. Lawrence Drainage, Quebec. Chicago: Field Museum of Natural History. Fieldiana, Anthropology New Series No.5. James W. VanStone. 1985. Material Culture of the Davis Inlet and Barren Ground Naskapi: the William Duncan Strong Collection. Chicago: Field Museum of Natural History. Fieldiana, Anthropology New Series No.7. Lynn Drapeau. 1999. Dictionnaire Montagnais-français. Sainte-Foy: Presses de l’Université du Québec.
Innu Narrative:
“I am wondering what I would call it? This is the first time I saw one like that. I am not sure what to call it. Is this pitakan-mukuman? Yes, that’s what it is – pitakan-mukuman (knife sheath).” Sheshin (Rich) Rich
“This is pitakan-mukuman (knife sheath).” Munik (Gregoire) Rich
“What would you call it? Pitakan-mukuman (knife sheath).” Pinamen (Rich) Katshinak
“This is a knife sheath – pitakan-mukuman.” Etuat Mistenapeo.
Other Info:
Naskapi dictionary lists piihchiihkumaanaan as “knife case.”
Drapeau lists pitakan as “animal farci; farce; baloney, saucisson (A); cartouche de fabrication artisanale (stuffed animal; stuffing; baloney, sausage (A); home-made cartridge).”
“The collection contains two knife sheaths that may have been intended for a knife of the type just described [knife made from sharpened antler possibly used by women for cutting up meat] or an end-blade knife with a metal blade. One of these sheaths is made of two pieces of tanned caribou skin backed and edged with dark green printed cotton cloth. The sewing is with thread. On the front are beaded geometric designs, spot-stitched and thread-sewn, in red, blue, translucent green, and white beads. There is carrying strap of tanned caribou skin…The second sheath is also made of two pieces of tanned caribou skin and a strap of the same material, all sewn with thread. On the front is a design consisting of diamonds in red beads and a border of red and black beads, spot-stitched and thread-sewn; a cross in black beads is sewn on the back piece above the sheath opening.” VanStone (1985:23)
“A knife sheath, probably for an instrument with a metal blade, is made from a single piece of moose skin. A fringe of the same material has been sewn into the seam and there is a loop at the proximal end for attachment to a belt.” VanStone (1982:8)