Frog Uncle Dustin Henry Deck - (8.5)
2006.29.1ab, Snowshoes
Donor: Perry Creighton
Date: 1970 or 1971
Maker: Joe and Annie HenryDescription: pair of Gwitch'in style snowshoes with three stringers and fine webbing in pristine condition, handcrafted by Joe Henry in 1970 or 1971 of birch, home tanned caribou babiche and home tanned moose hide. The birch is stained rust colour possibly with ochre. They were made at Joe and Annie's camp near Ogilvie Crossing on what is now the Dempster highway, Yukon Territory. In the donor's words "the shoes he (Joe) made for me were as a gift for my effort in helping Annie and him collect their Old Age Pension, including a substantial amount of back payment." "He used few tools (to make them) other than his pocket knife and all materials are natural, obtained by them at their camp near the Ogilvie River." Ke łing ts’ik is Hän for the skinny babiche webbing that fills in at the toe and back section of the snowshoe. Shë ‘(y)a näkätiłing is the fill where the feet go on the snowshoe. (language session with Percy Henry March 19, 2010)
Provenance: These snowshoes were made for the donor in 1970/1971 as a thank you gift. The donor wore them once and they have since hung on his wall in southern British Columbia ever since.
dimensions: 31.98" x 8.25"
wheelbase: 14.25"
