Before the arrival of Europeans, Eastern Woodlands First Nations created finger-woven or hand-plaited sashes from the inner bark of certain trees and other natural fibres. These sashes were used to secure clothing or to bundle various items. Once trade with foreigners began, they soon switched to weaving sashes from wool yarns. Sash weaving was practised by first peoples in many parts of Canada; the Métis of Manitoba and Saskatchewan consider the sash to be an important part of their identity. French Canadian settlers also produced finger-woven sashes. The fringes of this gorgeous sash have been twisted to form braids.

References: See: T.J. Brasser, Bo-jou, Neejee!, pl. 116. For a Lorette Huron ceinture perlée (with beads) see Ruth B. Phillips, Patterns of Power: The Jasper Grant Collection and Great Lakes Indian Art of the Early Nineteenth Century (Kleinburg: McMichael Canadian Collection, 1984), cat. 59, p. 58.