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This style of bag is known as an 'Octopus bag' due to it having eight tabs or 'legs' .  It has different floral designs on each side.  A vase filled with roses decorated one surface, while the other shows a second vase with stylized leaves and flowers, some of which resemble thistles.  The style and choice of designs suggest that the bag was most likely made by a woman of Cree heritage around the 1860s.  Octopus bags were available in the Red River settlement, which William Watt would have visited at this time., but it could also have been acquired through trade at another post or by one of the other Watt brothers.

Black stroud, trimmed with red cloth around edge of bag and around 'legs' though this has faded quite considerably. Also, white beaded line runs around edge. These white beads are smaller than the other sizes used. Side A: Legs are decorated with a leaf and floral design. The panel has a double handled vase in clear white beads with a floral design of roses and at the bottom, a blue and mustard yellow tassel. Red cloth tier at the top. Side B: Legs have similar leaf pattern, through with different colours and the outer two legs have blue and red floral design. The panel has a vase design at the top with flowers protruding from it. The beadwork has a slight raised effect. The top of the bag has been stitched together. The lining is of printed floral cotton cloth. The cloth inside the panel part of the bag is different to that used inside the legs.