Fascinating Challenges: Studying Material Culture With Dorothy Burnham

by Judy Thompson, Judy Hall, Leslie Tepper

In 1990, Dorothy Burnham, a renowned authority on textiles and former curator at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, began work with three curators at the Canadian Ethnology Service of the Canadian Museum of Civilization. This book marks the 10th anniversary of this rewarding collaboration. It celebrates Dorothy Burnham's many contributions to ongoing research on the Museum's ethnographic collections from the Northern Athabaskan, Arctic, Plateau and Eastern Woodlands regions of North America. Eight papers highlight the important role that comprehensive study of museum collections - in particular, the understanding of garment cuts and techniques of weaving, sewing and decorative work - can play in material culture studies. Three papers by individuals working in contemporary Aboriginal communities illustrate the value of this detailed information to those seeking to revive traditional skills. Fascinating Challenges is an important resource for anyone interested in material culture studies and Aboriginal heritage.

268 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2001

Reviews

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of scholarly papers - yet utterly accessible to the average textile-obsessed reader. Outstanding reference for indigenous Canadian clothing patterns and techniques.