« The collection contains three covered birch bark baskets, each made from a single piece of folded and sewn bark with a rectangular bottom and sides that taper inward slightly. The dark inner surface of the bark, which is peeled in spring, faces outward. A separate rim of birchwood is lashed to the outer edge of the bark with spruce root. A tight-fitting lid consists of a flat, oval top and a vertically placed, recessed rim approximately 3.5 cm wide lashed to the top with spruce root (figs. 10-12). The largest specimen has a narrow cloth carrying strap (fig. 12). The method of construction of this form of basket is described in detail by Speck (1937) and Lips (1947, pp. 51-59). A fourth basket is similar in construction to those just described, but is much smaller and narrower and has no lid (fig. 9n). A characteristic feature of these baskets is the presence of etched designs on tops and sides. The primary method of producing this ornamentation is by laying cut-out birch bark design patterns on the surface and scraping away the dark inner bark everywhere except where the design has been traced with the point of a knife. The positive design thus stands out dark against a light background (Speck, 1937, p. 71). Ornamentation on the three covered baskets consists exclusively of stylized floral designs. All sides of the two larger specimens are decorated (figs. 11-12), while on the smaller, the two ends have been left undecorated (fig. 10). » 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.9, fig 10 (p.38), 11 (p.39), 12 (p.40). « The collection contains a set of four birch bark cut-out patterns of floral motifs (fig. 13) used on one of the illustrated covered baskets (fig. 12). Another set of nine patterns, which includes human forms, a fish, a canoe, and floral stencils, is described by Speck as having been used for bead and silk work (fig. 14). However, one of the patterns, that of a fish, was used on a previously described comb case (fig. 91). Speck (1935, pp. 190-191) has noted that for the Montagnais, the symbolic pictorial representation of a plant or animal was equivalent to the actual plant or animal and those portrayed were believed to come under the control of the individual human spirit. Dreams played a major part in suggesting the relationship between specific animals or plants and an individual. The spirit was strengthened by having its dream promptings obeyed and success in subsistence activities was thereby assured. » 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.10, fig 12 (p.40), 13 (p.41).

« An undecorated birch bark container is a large berry pail that may be unfinished. Like the previously described baskets, it is made from a single folded and sewn piece of bark with the outer surface facing inside. The sewing has been done with string and there is a large, rectangular patch on one side; there is no rim (fig. 15). A similar but finished specimen with a flat lid is illustrated by Speck (1930, p. 441, fig. 115). Such baskets might also have been used for storing dried and pounded fish. » 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.10, fig 15 (p.43).

Very large tapa cloth (shroud type) with a light orange background, painted with a grid of squares that fully cover the piece. Each grid is filled with a linear pattern of concentric boxes or horizontal wavy lines in dark brown. On top of this are painted thick stripes running from top to bottom in brown-grey with leaf shapes protruding from the middle lines, and triangles from the side lines. The long edges of the tapa have been left uncoloured, and have been painted with cross hatching and numbers in brown. One end of the piece has been cut, while the other is finished. The underside of the tapa is also painted orange, but undecorated except for the patterning that shows through from the front.

Birchbark model canoe with wood gunwales, quill line decorations on bow, stern, and centre sides. Maple leaf decal at one end. Inscribed "Vancouver, B.C." on same side.

Small birchbark canoe model; undecorated. The name "Eagle" is written on the base.

Bird mask with simple design around nostril. Decorated with cedar bark and feather fringe. Painted red, black and white.

Raven mask with long beak and small crescent shaped nostrils. Simple design around nostril. Cedar bark fringe and feathers around head. Painted red, black and white.

Large mask with short broad beak and big flaring nostrils. Short curved frill covered along rim with cedar bark fringe. On top of head are feathers, cedar bark fringe and three other smaller bird heads. Black, white and red.

Large bundles of dried cedar bark strips.

Checker work weave basket. Sides and base are approximately the same weave with one twilled row separating them. Border is wrapped over splint and braided. Very poor condition; basket is collapsed and in pieces.