Assiniboin Camp

Description

On June 30, a band of Assiniboins set up a camp of about twenty-five tipis at Fort Union. One of the tipis, the dwelling of a chief, was distinguished from the rest by the large bear figures painted on each of its sides. The bear was a symbol of strong supernatural power, a medicine sought after to insure success in battle or for aid in treating the sick. The man who owned this tipi presumably had obtained this special power. Three travois are propped together in front of the tipi, each consisting of a circular, netted platform attached to two long poles. The travois was used to transport baggage; bundles were strapped to the platform and the opposite ends of the poles were harnessed to an animal which dragged the load behind it. Dogs were used for this purpose long before the horse was introduced to the Plains, and continued to be so used long afterwards by groups who had relatively few horses, like the Assiniboin. The aquatint based on this watercolor (Vignette XVI) has an added detail showing a dog harnessed to a travois.