Toboggan

Often called “carioles”, these toboggans were introduced to the north during the fur trade and were used to move freight and passengers.  Before the fur trade, dogs were not as common and toboggans were narrow and flat and were pulled by people.  This cariole model is made of birch and skin parchment.  The dog harness, made from a padded caribou skin collar with two hide strips, connected the dogs to the sled lines.  Narrow bands of babiche could be braided together to make strong ropes.

Dimensions: 395 x 160 mm

Provenance: Dogrib and Chipewyan, Fort Rae

Given by B.R. Ross, Fort Simpson, 1860

Museum Number: National Museums of Scotland A.686.1