Sacred Hoop Trading

Many contemporary paintings explore the color and beauty of the clothing of Midwestern Native American tribes. Indeed, an integral part of the artistic endeavors of Midwestern tribes centered on clothing and its elaborate decoration and style. Garments were both functional and beautifully adorned, illustrating the pride and creativity of early Native artisans. Prior to European arrival, Native women of the Great Lakes region masterfully used porcupine quills, buffalo wool and moose hair in the creation of clothing. In the 1600s, French traders introduced glass beads and cloth to the region, and tribes of the Southern Plains such as Kiowa and Comanche began to incorporate delicate bead trim into their work. The Woodlands and Native Plains tribes often used abstract floral designs, while the Sioux of North and South Dakota covered large areas of their clothing with beads and tended to use geometric designs. Porcupine quills were frequently used to produce imaginative designs and textures. This intricate and elaborate beadwork became very much a part of the embellishment of traditional Midwestern tribal dance regalia. In addition to garments, Native tribes of the Midwest used birch bark to make baskets and storage containers. Buffalo hides were used to make par fleche containers (rectangular bags used to hold everything from clothes to dried meat), shields, tipis, and robes. Stonework artisans created beautiful ceremonial pipes, particularly members of the Lakota tribe. More recently, contemporary members of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa have created highly regarded stone carvings—a tribute to the respected traditions of early Native artists.