« The consulting of oracles so as to determine where and when to hunt and to know the future with reference to the weather, illness, and personal matters was extremely important to the Lake St. John Montagnais. It is a subject that has been discussed in considerable detail by Speck (1935, pp. 138-147). A more recent discussion of the subject, with a different interpretation, is found in Tanner (1979, ch. 6). » Vanstone, James W. "The Speck Collection of Montagnais Material Culture from the Lower St. Lawrence Drainage, Quebec." Fieldiana. Anthropology. New Series, No. 5 (October 29, 1982), p.19. « Scapulimancy with the bones of a variety of animals, especially beaver and hare, along with the three examples of burned scapulae in the collection, apparently those of sheep, are described and illustrated by Speck (1935, pp. 144-145). These scapulae were burned and interpreted by an informant at Speck's request. The pattern of lines on the first scapula (fig. 32b) were said to denote the approach of trouble; those on the second (fig. 32a), the return of good fortune after bad luck; and the third (fig. 32c) a sign of good luck in the form of monetary gain. The latter two scapulae have broken in the burned areas since they were illustrated by Speck (1935, p. 145, fig. 14b-c). » Vanstone, James W. "The Speck Collection of Montagnais Material Culture from the Lower St. Lawrence Drainage, Quebec." Fieldiana. Anthropology. New Series, No. 5 (October 29, 1982), p.19, fig 32a (p.60).

« The consulting of oracles so as to determine where and when to hunt and to know the future with reference to the weather, illness, and personal matters was extremely important to the Lake St. John Montagnais. It is a subject that has been discussed in considerable detail by Speck (1935, pp. 138-147). A more recent discussion of the subject, with a different interpretation, is found in Tanner (1979, ch. 6). » Vanstone, James W. "The Speck Collection of Montagnais Material Culture from the Lower St. Lawrence Drainage, Quebec." Fieldiana. Anthropology. New Series, No. 5 (October 29, 1982), p.19. « Scapulimancy with the bones of a variety of animals, especially beaver and hare, along with the three examples of burned scapulae in the collection, apparently those of sheep, are described and illustrated by Speck (1935, pp. 144-145). These scapulae were burned and interpreted by an informant at Speck's request. The pattern of lines on the first scapula (fig. 32b) were said to denote the approach of trouble; those on the second (fig. 32a), the return of good fortune after bad luck; and the third (fig. 32c) a sign of good luck in the form of monetary gain. The latter two scapulae have broken in the burned areas since they were illustrated by Speck (1935, p. 145, fig. 14b-c). » Vanstone, James W. "The Speck Collection of Montagnais Material Culture from the Lower St. Lawrence Drainage, Quebec." Fieldiana. Anthropology. New Series, No. 5 (October 29, 1982), p.19, fig 32c (p.60).

« The consulting of oracles so as to determine where and when to hunt and to know the future with reference to the weather, illness, and personal matters was extremely important to the Lake St. John Montagnais. It is a subject that has been discussed in considerable detail by Speck (1935, pp. 138-147). A more recent discussion of the subject, with a different interpretation, is found in Tanner (1979, ch. 6). » Vanstone, James W. "The Speck Collection of Montagnais Material Culture from the Lower St. Lawrence Drainage, Quebec." Fieldiana. Anthropology. New Series, No. 5 (October 29, 1982), p.19. « Scapulimancy with the bones of a variety of animals, especially beaver and hare, along with the three examples of burned scapulae in the collection, apparently those of sheep, are described and illustrated by Speck (1935, pp. 144-145). These scapulae were burned and interpreted by an informant at Speck's request. The pattern of lines on the first scapula (fig. 32b) were said to denote the approach of trouble; those on the second (fig. 32a), the return of good fortune after bad luck; and the third (fig. 32c) a sign of good luck in the form of monetary gain. The latter two scapulae have broken in the burned areas since they were illustrated by Speck (1935, p. 145, fig. 14b-c). » Vanstone, James W. "The Speck Collection of Montagnais Material Culture from the Lower St. Lawrence Drainage, Quebec." Fieldiana. Anthropology. New Series, No. 5 (October 29, 1982), p.19, fig 32b (p.60).

Gift of Kay Hodnett Nunez

This blanket has a red background with orange and grey zig zag stripes running horizontally across. There are tassels on the corners. Condition: a little fraying on the longer edges in center area. One corner has a green yard wrapped around it that might possibly be a signature or a trading post remnant from hang tag.

Gift of Pratt Institute