The Puberty Collar

When women have started their menstruation cycle they were sent off to a secluded area from 6 months up to a year to be taught skills that would help her become a good house wife/woman. They would sit in a special position, eat in special ways, worked continuously, and under construction took precautions which would prepare for her good health, hard work and appropriate behavior for the rest of her life. When they returned, they recieved a necklace known as the "Puberty Collar" signifying they are capable of being a hard working wife and mother.Cruikshank, J. (1979). Athapaskan Women : Lives and Legends. Ottowa: National Museums of Canada.