Child's Vest
(Lakota), 1885-1900
Cow hide, porcupine quills, calico cloth
On loan courtesy of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.48.629.56

Cultural Identity
Among Native Americans, clothing was an expression of how they felt about themselves and about the world. It told people who saw them their age, status, community, and religion. Clothing, too, was a form of visual prayer.
Creations Journey, 1996

Visual Prayers
This vest, cut down to child-size, has four thunderbirds - the keepers of the four directions. With raised wings, they may represent stars. The crosses may represent the North Star (top) and evening star (center).

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