Menominee Cradleboard

Menominee cradleboards have an attached pouch. The edges of the pouch next to the board are often beaded. A Menominee infant is placed in the pouch, after being wrapped with a long strip of cloth. The outer side of the cloth usually bears beaded decorations. Strings of beads, bells and thimbles are often suspended from the face guard. Miniature weapons are added to the face guard for boys: girls would have a doll, wooden spoon or similar articles.
When the birth of a child is anticipated, the parents prepare a board for his or her reception. The father carves the woodwork of the cradle and the mother decorates it with choice beadwork. Soon after birth, the infant is bathed and put on the cradleboard, where the baby will remain most of the time for two or three years, or until it is well able to walk. It is said that a baby tied to his or her cradleboard will develop a strong and straight back.
Cradle in Menominee language: tike'nagün

Side-facing view of the cradle.