The adventures of a Métis country wife, caught between 1846 and 2010
Time to squee like a history dork over my second summer job! (I swear that it will be of interest!)
As I think I've mentioned before, I've begun working as a costumed historical interpreter at Fort Edmonton Park. I work at the actual fort, a representation of Fort Edmonton (or Edmonton House), a Hudson's Bay Company fur trading post that was in operation in the Edmonton city area from about 1795 through to the late 1880s (although the final fort wasn't torn down until 1915), as it stood in 1846, during its heydey. It was the first true "settlement" in this region, as the local Cree and Blackfoot tribes were nomadic.
Also, it's a fort, which makes it look THAT much more cool.
I'm not in a lovely poofy dress with ruffles and bustles, or wearing lovely feathered hats like on 1905 street and 1885 street, but I am still immensely pleased with my character and my costume. I represent a young Métis country wife (that is, my mother was one of the local Cree women who married a French-Canadian fur trader) named Anne-Marie.
Here is a photograph taken of me in costume!
My husband, James Duncan, is the apprentice blacksmith. Interpreters often have what we call "fort husbands" or "fort family". Like, someone on 1905 street can refer to his grandfather George Ottowell, who is one of the interpreters on 1885 street. It's the same way within the eras as well. Most of the country wives are "married" to other interpreters, as opposed to widows.
We've also determined that I'm the mistress of John Rowand, the chief factor, who is played by Will, who also plays... James Duncan, the apprentice blacksmith, when he's in his labourer's costume. So when my husband is "away" (AKA playing Rowand) I'm with the Chief Factor. ;) Ohohoho...
Unfortunately, you can't see all of my "bling" in this photograph. You can see my beaded choker, two of my flowered beaded necklaces, and my iron cross (made by our blacksmith from the nails from the church of the first Catholic mission in the area, up in Lac Ste. Anne), but you can't see my lovely beaded belt (or at least, you can only see a corner of it), nor the lovely beaded embroidery of my little side pouch. Ah, well... Suffice it to say, I look well-off for a country wife. Not only can my husband afford to trade for or purchase Italian glass seed beads from the trade store, he can also support me well enough that I actually have TIME to do beading, instead of, y'know, work. ;) I have a little bit too much "bling" to be entirely accurate to my station.
I shall tell you all much more about some of the interesting items in the background when livejournal isn't being so silly and will actually let me upload more photographs without error messages. I'll also post an epic photograph of my fort husband, Will, as Rowand.
As I think I've mentioned before, I've begun working as a costumed historical interpreter at Fort Edmonton Park. I work at the actual fort, a representation of Fort Edmonton (or Edmonton House), a Hudson's Bay Company fur trading post that was in operation in the Edmonton city area from about 1795 through to the late 1880s (although the final fort wasn't torn down until 1915), as it stood in 1846, during its heydey. It was the first true "settlement" in this region, as the local Cree and Blackfoot tribes were nomadic.
Also, it's a fort, which makes it look THAT much more cool.
I'm not in a lovely poofy dress with ruffles and bustles, or wearing lovely feathered hats like on 1905 street and 1885 street, but I am still immensely pleased with my character and my costume. I represent a young Métis country wife (that is, my mother was one of the local Cree women who married a French-Canadian fur trader) named Anne-Marie.
Here is a photograph taken of me in costume!
My husband, James Duncan, is the apprentice blacksmith. Interpreters often have what we call "fort husbands" or "fort family". Like, someone on 1905 street can refer to his grandfather George Ottowell, who is one of the interpreters on 1885 street. It's the same way within the eras as well. Most of the country wives are "married" to other interpreters, as opposed to widows.
We've also determined that I'm the mistress of John Rowand, the chief factor, who is played by Will, who also plays... James Duncan, the apprentice blacksmith, when he's in his labourer's costume. So when my husband is "away" (AKA playing Rowand) I'm with the Chief Factor. ;) Ohohoho...
Unfortunately, you can't see all of my "bling" in this photograph. You can see my beaded choker, two of my flowered beaded necklaces, and my iron cross (made by our blacksmith from the nails from the church of the first Catholic mission in the area, up in Lac Ste. Anne), but you can't see my lovely beaded belt (or at least, you can only see a corner of it), nor the lovely beaded embroidery of my little side pouch. Ah, well... Suffice it to say, I look well-off for a country wife. Not only can my husband afford to trade for or purchase Italian glass seed beads from the trade store, he can also support me well enough that I actually have TIME to do beading, instead of, y'know, work. ;) I have a little bit too much "bling" to be entirely accurate to my station.
I shall tell you all much more about some of the interesting items in the background when livejournal isn't being so silly and will actually let me upload more photographs without error messages. I'll also post an epic photograph of my fort husband, Will, as Rowand.