Submitted by: Cora Bunn, President of the MNO Grand River Métis Council
Participants of the capote coat workshop. (Left to right) Jennifer Parkinson, PCMNO Vice-
Chair Sharon McBride, Barbaranne Wright, Fritz Steele, Carol Levis, Leslie Muma,
Tobias Clarke, Cora Bunn, Margaret Donahue and Darlene Lent.
The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Grand River Métis Council held a capote coat workshop earlier this month.
Members from the MNO Credit River Métis Council, Hamilton-Wentworth Métis Council, Niagara Region Métis Council and the Ottawa Regional Métis Council participated in the fun filled event. Provisional Council of the MNO (PCMNO) Vice-Chair, Sharon McBride was also in attendance.
A capote is a historical Métis dress item often made from a woolen Hudson’s Bay Company blanket. The coats are lightweight but warm and extend to the knees. The capote coat has become an original and unique work of art as they are commonly decorated with beadwork, embroidery, sashes, fringes and quillwork.