Smithsonian brings dolls made in 1901 to Coeur d'Alene Tribe

Friday, September 30, 2011  

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Idaho welcomed home a set of 110-year-old dolls that were made for the Smithsonian Institution in 1901.

Second Chief Peter Wildshoe commissioned a tribal member to make the two-foot-tall beaded dolls, which depict a man, woman and a child in traditional clothing. They are part of a new exhibit, “Sacred Encounters: Father De Smet and the Indians of the Rocky Mountain West," that just opened at the Old Mission State Park.

"This is a good day," elder Felix Aripa, 88, told The Coeur d'Alene Press.

"We're thrilled to have them back," added Ray Brinkman, the tribe's linguist.

The exhibit features about 160 items that tell of the tribe's interaction with the Jesuits.

Get the Story:
Sacred Mission Day of the dolls (The Coeur d'Alene Press 9/30)
Coeur d’Alene Tribe prepares to showcase mission’s history (The Spokesman Review 9/30)