Imataa Manistsi: Blackfoot Dog Travois
by Mari King

Reconnections with the historic Blackfoot shirts inspires the reconnection of the Blackfoot dog travois of the "Dog Days" era. This era predates European contact, fur trappers, and trading posts. A way of life both shirt and travois, ancient art and ancient memory reconnect in their reconstruction. The following travois instruction is appropriate for young adults and adults. Seemingly simple in design, it is not. Easy to make, it is. It is with great surprise that individuals constructing the travois find greater understanding on the considerable depth of contemplation and thought that the Blackfoot set forth in their design of this travois which is unlike other tribes. It is unique in design and construction. A smaller or larger model than 18 inches can be made by adjusting the overall size to fit.