Does anyone have any info on this bag? It was given to the owner of a Bush plane service in NW Ontario around the 50’s-60’s possibly the 40’s. It was a gift for some help he had given the Indians in the area. Ojibwe or Cree most likely. Would appreciate any info on it.

Depending on the size,it could be a medecin bag or a shell bag.

My buddy thinks its roughly 8"x 8". He's going to check tomorrow and get a couple better pics.

Bring it too Vegas and go on Pawn Stars. I bet the beard of knowledge can tell you all about it. Probably worth $675.00

Ha! Maybe if it was full of "medicine"!

Actually more interested in the purpose and approximate age than value. It was supposedly a big deal back when it was given to the owner of the Air Service. When the owner died in the late 80s his widow gave it to another family, actually on the day he died, because it always scared her.

Interesting

Big medicine bag. Some old squaw used it to keep her brave's pair in hock. Like I said, big medicine.

I guess I'm now canceled for that reply.

That is very nice! Whomever owns it ought to be cautious and do a lot of research on the laws before trying to sell or barter it. It is made of what appear to be loon necks and there may be some Federal and/or State regulations restricting its sale or barter.

Beautiful piece and thanks for sharing the photo.

Moosetrot

It appears to be a smoked brain tanned buckskin bag with buckskin fringes on the sides and bottom. Perhaps the loon skin was applied over the buckskin bag or the buckskin pieces are sewn to the loon neck bag. The red embroidery on the top of the bag seems to be of floss or thread. If it is dyed porcupine quills all the better. If it is old it should be sewn with sinew rather than thread. The strap and hanging decorations seem to cut with pinking shears.
The FFG Harding series book Canadian Wilds talks about Native loon hunting. I've seen pictures of Athabaskan articles made from loon skins. I might guess early 20th century but that is just a wild guess.

Took some better measurements. Stitching is dyed thread. Almost looks like there could be sea creatures in the stitching with open mouths. Maybe not.

That’s where the Ndins kept there weed man

Loons are called flying handbags by some folks here. They were made out of the skin. I had a friend that had one I saw many years ago. Not sure what was kept in them. Most likely a hunting bag for men.

Cool Jeff, never heard that before, “flying hand bag”. Do you figure the leather is Loon too or is the loon over deer leather?

A look inside would tell you. Loon skin will have the pins of the feathers easily seen and probably a orang color. My guess is one side leather and other side loon skin.

Goose and other waterfowl skin was used alot in this region for coats and pants made with the feathers intact. Original goose down clothing.

That's really pretty neat.

That leather is 'buckskin' or here it is called smoked hide. It's likely either deer or caribou but could be moose I suppose. One side was smoked and the other side is still mostly white which is standard practice. Smoking enables the leather to remain soft after wetting.
So what is pictured is a 'buckskin' and loon skin bag.