When preparing your Encampment Application, please keep in mind that the following items were not available of at Spokane House during this time period, and must not be brought to the encampment.

CLOTHING:

1. Do not wear commercial tanned (grain on) shiny-side-out buckskin.

Alternatives would be:

a. Turn the commercial tan garment inside out so the suede (flesh side) is out.

b. Sew a replacement garment from cloth of the fur trade i.e. wool, cotton or linen.

c. Braintan leather

2. Since there were no white women in the country yet, all women would portray Indian or Metis women. Women married to Euro men would generally wear Indian style cloth dresses or blouses and skirts. Women married Post Factors might wear a European style dress. Moccasins and knee-high leggings would be standard for women, even in European style dresses.

3. All items were hand sewn, since the sewing machine hadn't been invented. Machine sewed garments acceptable, but work on replacing with hand sewn items.

EQUIPMENT:
1. No caplock firearms. All firearms were flintlock.

2. There were no bone hairpipes in the trade, at this time. Leave these items home.

3. No "Hudson Bay" candy stripe blankets. They were not produced until the 1850s.

4. No loom-beaded strips on clothing.

5. No enamelware cooking/drinking containers. There were some glassware and stoneware items at Spokane House. If you bring any of these items make sure they are of the early 1800s. Do your research.

6. No Whelen or Baker style tents.

CULTURAL:
1. There is no record of women trapping or being in fur trade management. The division of labor within the Indian and fur trade cultures did not make it possible for a woman to survive without male support.

A "single woman" was a temporary status caused by:

a. The husband had died, recently. Since cutting the hair short was a sign of mourning, this could be a scenario for some women participants.

b. The woman had been abandoned, recently, by her husband (Euro or Indian).

c. The woman is visiting her tribal relatives who happen to be at Spokane House.
 
For more complete information on this period at Spokane House, the publication, Spokane House, 1810-1814, People of the Fur Trade, is recommended. It can be obtained from Dean Bakke ( dsbakke@comcast.net )

We will also be happy to consult with you on questions regarding your persona and camp participation.

Contacts:

For Women: Karie Riley  ( karieriley@comcast.net )

For Men: Mark Weadick  ( mark.weadick@verizon.net )