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Powwows
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Bustle & Fancy Bustle typically made of a string of eagle or hawk feathers attached to a backboard. Eagle and hawk feathers are sacred religious objects to Native American people and the possession of eagle and hawk feathers are protected by the (50 CFR 22).
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Roach made out of porcupine guard hair and deer hair and sometimes made out of skunk hair
also called Wapeca (wa pee sha) |
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Roach & Feather Headdress |
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Roach & Feather Headdress | |
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Fan There are several different varieties, including flat fan, wing fan, and loose fan. A flat fan is made usually from the tail feathers of an eagle, a wing fan is made either from the entire wing outside of the knuckle or of a few wing feathers, and a loose fan is made from an assortment of eagle, hawk or macaw feathers that are bound loosely on a beaded base.
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Ankle Bells |
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Moccasins Although in the past there were many styles, the predominant style today is that of the Plains tribes, because it has a hard sole that stands up to the rigors of several months of har d dancing. Moccasins can be beaded or quilled, and are sometimes left plain. |
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Breastplate bone hairpipe or buffalo horn, glass beads and deer hide or horse hair ties and fringe |
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Breech cloths can be made in two different styles. In one style, the breech-cloth is made from a single long piece of deerskin or cloth that is 2 yards long and 10 o 12 inches wide, which is long enough to hang in the back and front and pass between the legs. The breech- cloth is secured to the waist by a sash, or leather belt. Today some people make breech cloths by taking two panels of cloth or leather and attaching them to a sash or belt, which is then secured around the waist. With this method, the cloth does not pass between the legs, so shorts must me worn because there is no covering of one's private areas.
Though highly decorative, these outfits are never referred to as "costumes".
The term costume denotes artificiality and wear that is donned for an event that is not a part of one's ongoing life. To the contrary, these Native American outfits are very personal and artistic expressions of the dancers' lives, feelings, interests, family and spiritual quest.
Each dancer creates his or her own regalia, through many hours of hard work. Each component and intricate piece of an individuals regalia has historical, spiritual and personal significance. Often items are passed from one generation to the next, or gifted to friends or relatives. Some items may be very old.
Since the regalia is so special, it is out of respect for the history and culture that visitors or spectators should not touch regalia, even if it has fallen off.
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Prairie Island Indian Community • 5636 Sturgeon Lake Road • Welch, Minnesota • 55089 • 1-800-554-5473