Native American Gallery

The cultural and material diversity that exists in Western Native America is tremendous. The Museum showcases this through the works of Native artists and artisans, highlighting the viability of their cultural heritage.

This men's pad saddle from the Cree people is part of the Native American Gallery.

During the last half of the nineteenth century, Lakota (Teton Sioux) women began attaching a third skin at right angles to the traditional two shirt skins.   This provided a yoke that could be profusely beaded and also allowed for long attendant fringe.

Plains people have a long history of crafting special finery for their children. When children became the focus of assimilation, mothers countered these pressures by crafting increasingly refined items. These items helped to instill cultural pride and preserve family tribal identity.

Throughout the twentieth and into the 21st century, the American Indian warrior tradition has continued as Native people have served in the U.S. military. American flags frequently appear on the clothing and accessories of soldiers and their communities.