The Historical Fancy Dress Ball, Ottawa
February 17, 1896


Perpetuating a Stereotype

Guests in this group donned their garments and accessories in a manner very unlike the way they were worn by aboriginal people. The beaded bag (perhaps originally a medicine bag) worn by Miss Smith was intended to be worn by men, and slung over the shoulder, not worn around the waist. The garments seen here on Mr. Critchley had belonged to the Saulteaux chief, Pasquaw, of the Fort Qu'appelle region of Saskatchewan, in the 1880s. Mr. Critchley has the shirt on backwards. The pipe he carries is sacred to aboriginal people, who would hold it near the heart, and not in this manner.
 

Mr. Critchley and Miss L. Smith
Mr. Critchley and Miss L. Smith
W.J. Topley
National Archives of Canada, PA-191754

 
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