Rawhide Containers
Kainai
early 20th century
AF 3752 a-b

The First Peoples of the Plains took great care with their artistic decoration. The positive (coloured) and negative (not-coloured) spaces were integrated in complex motifs. The symmetrical patterns reinforce cultural principles of coexisting in a balance with all of the world.

Pictograph Robe (Raw Eater's)
Siksika
early 1900s
bison hide and natural pigments
AF 870

Raw Eater was a highly respected leader among the Siksika during the late nineteenth century. He used a traditional style of painting to record some of the important episodes of his life. Raw Eater is always painted in red as he steals horses, fights enemies, and takes scalps and guns as coups.

Suit
Siksika
early 1900s
elk hide, porcupine quills, natural dyes, weasel pelts
AF 3761 a-b

One of the Blackfoot speaking people's ancient stories tells how a man named Scarface went to live with the Sun, the Moon, and their child, Morningstar. When he returned to his people, the Sun gave him a white buckskin suit decorated with scalps which commemorated the time he saved Morningstar from the evil Cranes.

Horse Figure
Lakota
early 20th century
glass beads, elk hide
AF 5184

This horse figure reflects the fine artistry and craftsmanship of the maker. The stylized outline is similar to older drawings done on hide. Almost every part of the horse has been beaded.

Saddle
Cree
early 20th century
commercial leather, glass beads, wool fringe, metal rings
AP 2642

Saddles such as this are often called pad saddles. They were stuffed with buffalo hair, horse hair, or even grass. A rope or leather cinch would have secured the saddle on the horse. The carefully beaded decorations reflect the high value the owner placed on his horse.