Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Wampanoag at Plimoth Plantation

This series of cards depicting Wampanoag native life along the Massachusetts coast, an area occupied by English settlers beginning in the early 1600s. Native activities included hunting, gardening, collecting sea foods and making the tools needed for survival. Sadly contact led to epidemics and conflict over land and natural resources. Despite welcoming the British and engaging in trade, the tribe was defeated in King Philip's war; many of the tribe's survivors were enslaved and sent to the Caribbean. Fortunately some survived and today 2000 tribal members live on a small reservation near Martha's Vineyard.
The Plimoth Plantation offers visitors an opportunity to see life as it existed in the early colonial period. The site includes an outdoor living historical Wampanoag village with reed mat and bark covered homes, where native staff demonstrate crafts and answer questions. For more information see www.plimoth.org
These great cards were sent by a Postcrosser who lives in Boston, MA





Sarcee family


The Tsuu T'iana (formerly called Sarcee or Sarsi) are a Canadian First Nations group, They are an Athabascan tribe who lived on Canada's southern plains in the 1700s and are linguistically related to the Naisha (Plains Apache) who lived on the Northern Plains of Montana at the same time. The Sarcee may have been culturally influenced by their friendly associations with the Blackfeet, who hunted bison and lived in hide tipis. Approximately 2000 tribal members live on or near a small reserve located near Calgary.
This photo was taken approximately 1890 and mailed from Oklahoma.

Haida Crest Pole

A reproduction corner post made approximately 1980 celebrates a Yaadaas clan house. The images include a Village watchman, Raven and a Bear; these portray the heraldic emblems of the Yaadaas clan from Old Kasaan on Prince of Wales Island, located in southern Alaska. Here the Haida lived until 1893. The post is located in the Sitka National Historic Park, Alaska.
Card was sent by a Postcrosser in trade.

Alaska Inupiat

                                                                 Children in winter furs, Point Barrow Alaska (1994)

Inupiat (or Eskimo) have occupied the northern most point of Alaska for approximately 1500 years, hunting on the ice. European explorers were encountered in the mid 1800s and today the region is 50% native. Clothing made from caribou offers protection against the temperatures which can drop to -18C.
This card is part of a booklet exploring polar life and was sent by a Postcrosser in Texas.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

New Okie Postcrosser!

I noticed a new member of Postcrossing from Oklahoma so I sent a welcome message...Gary lives in Eastern Oklahoma and is of Muscogee (Creek) heritage. We exchange emails and postcards, including this reproduction of a wonderful old photo. It features 2 Cheyenne-Arapaho families and a hide tipi, with a willow windbreak generally used during winter months.