Skin hat

Name (French):	chapeau
Name (Innu):	akunishkueun / akunishkueun-ka-peshaikanit
Date Collected:	unknown
Institutions:	The Rooms, Provincial Museum Division
Catalog Number:	III-B-124
Place Made:	unknown
Maker:	displayed with a collection of caribou skin clothing
Collector:	Richard White

Description:

hat made of tanned caribou skin, painted with blue and red designs, decorated with buttons

References:

Lynn Drapeau. 1999. Dictionnaire Montagnais-français. Sainte-Foy: Presses de l’Université du Québec.

Innu Narrative:

“This is a front part. Meshkana [late Sam Rich – a shaman; see photo of Meshkana] had one like that with buttons in the front. This is the same kind of hat.” Sheshin (Rich) Rich

“Only those with supernatural powers or those who performed the shaking tent wore this type of hat. Meshkea [Meshkana], old Sam Rich, wore this hat. They wore this type of hat when they performed a special ceremony such as the shaking tent; those with spiritual powers.” Pinashue Benuen.

“People call these napeukuniskueuna (men’s hat). The women’s hats are made too, and with these ones the rabbit fur is used.” Matinen (Selma) Michelin

“This same kind of a hat was made for Meshkana. It had buttons on the front part. He always had one on like that. This is meteu akunishkueun. This hat was worn by the shaman.” Pinamen (Rich) Katshinak