In addition to food processing, Metis women were known for which craft?

• A. Woodworking
• B. Blacksmithing
• C. Sailing
• D. Needle, bead, and porcupine quill work on clothing

Answer: (D)

Metis women contributed to daily life and identity through textile arts, especially needlework, beadwork, and porcupine quill embroidery on clothing. Beadwork, often using glass beads from European trade, created vibrant patterns on moccasins, vests, and the iconic Métis sash, blending Indigenous design with European materials. This craft is a defining part of Métis material culture and heritage, showing how women shaped clothing and social signaling through skilled decoration. While woodworking or blacksmithing are important crafts in many communities, and sailing is a broader skill set, those activities are not the hallmark of Métis women’s traditional textile work.