Rabbit Skin Robes and Blanket throughout Western North America

The Wappinger wore clothes that were not too different from modern clothes. For example, women wore skirts with leggings. Men wore “breechcloths and leather leggings” (Wappinger Indian Fact Sheet). Both men and women wore sleeved shirts in cool weather. Like many other Native Americans, Wappinger people wore moccasins. Unlike some Native American tribes, Wappinger people wore beaded headbands with an optional feather or two. Today, Wappinger people wear modern clothes and for special occasions such as a dance they wear a feather in their hair.

Over time, the power that Native women held with in their tribe has unfortunately digressed. During the age of exploration Native women have played key roles in the western fur trade. Native women assisted the fur traders by being liaison between the Europeans and Natives. This role was fundamental in strengthening trade increasing the economic stability of the post. They acted as guides for the European traders who often found themselves in dangerous and unfamiliar territory. Finally, they provided an intimate relationship for the European traders, and played a pragmatic role as a domesticated wife. However in order to fully understand the magnitude of the

Aboriginal women had occupied an essential position in the fur trade of the North American region from its birth during the 17th and 18th centuries. Even though this is true, the role of women, especially those of the Native American society, has been ignored a great deal in the entire history of fur trade. Contrary to the belief that the whole fur trade activity was only male-dominated, it very much depended upon Native women and their participation and labor in order to ensure survival as well as economic success. This paper will attempt to illuminate how Native women played the role as important producers when it comes to fur trade of the American Plains and, of course, the Canadian region. This paper will also deal with the two

After meeting the Europeans, the women wore wrap-around skirts and the men wore colorful shirts. These items were hand sewn,and the material had a diamond pattern. Everyone wore handmade leather moccasins, usually made from tanned deer or cow hide. Women would also wear some type of beaded Native American jewelry or ribbons in their hair,and the men would wear a wide-brimmed hat. Choctaw believed that flat heads were attractive.

The tribe lived in thatched houses before which were grass huts shaped like beehives. They had a communal way of life in their permanent habitations. When men went to hunt they build temporary shelters from buffalo hides. Before the modern times, the men dressed in breech clothes and occasionally putting on leather chaps to act as leg protection. Their hair was cut in traditional Mohawk or complete shaving of hair and wore single long tassel of hair on the top of the head. Women kept long hair styled in a bum or braid. They wore wrap around skirts and ponchos. In the modern times traditional dress and face paints are only reserved

Another way was by the pelts and hides from hunting trips. Men’s clothing included shirts that fell to the knees, sleeves were buttoned at the wrist and several handkerchiefs were tied around the neck. A pouch that hung from the belted waist, leggings and moccasins were also part of the men’s clothing but were normally worn when visiting the white settlements. The women’s clothing consisted of long sleeved pull over blouses and full skirts gathered at the waist. Before the 20’s patchwork appeared in the style of checkerboard or sawtooth designs. By the early 1920’s Seminole clothing was made up of horizontal stripes and patchwork designs. By the 50’s the diagonal designs were illustrated by small bars of color crammed with larger bars. James Henshall described the Seminole turban as “some two feet in diameter and six inches thick or high, with a hole in the venter to fit the head. It formed of bright colored shawls, the outside layer being sometimes a bright red cotton or bandana handkerchief; its shape is exactly that of a flat cheese or grindstone.” Just as clothing plays a certain role in society so does the unique social

Cotton shirts, breechcloths, and leggings were what men adorned themselves with in the summer. Men wore long coats to stay warm in the winter. Both men and women wore clothing and moccasins decorated with beads and quillwork. The Sioux even had fancy head gear. Men wore head ware to show off or for war or even for warmth. Men decorated their head gear with eagle feathers. The Sioux loved to display their talent in sewing with their clothes.

Fur trade between the French and Indians began with the exchange of small items the Indians didn’t have, though it became an important trade source for all of Europe, especially by Samuel de Champlain

The clothing of the Chippewa Indians was oftentimes made of animal skin. The tendons were taken from the animals and used as thread for the clothing that the Chippewa wore. The men wore a long piece of animal skin or cloth between their legs and belted it at the hips. The flaps then covered the front and behind of the men. Leggings were worn by both women and men and sometimes they were covered with fancy fringe. The leggings were created from animal skin and therefore were quite insulating during the cold winters. Women sometimes wore long skirts over the top of their leggings. Women wore a thin blouse, basically like a poncho, that included a cut out at the neck for the head to go through. Fancy aprons were worn on special occasions.

The Maidu wore different clothes than what we wore now. Men wore breechcloths made from buckskin or wire grass. Women wore aprons of buckskin, willow, and shredded bark. On the tribes feet, they wore deerskin moccasins. In winter, they wore fur-lined leggings, fur robes and woven feather blankets. They added grass to moccasins to keep their feet toasty

In warm climates men were mostly naked, but the women wore simple knee-length skirts and blouses. In the colder climates they would wear warm trousers and hooded anoraks. They would mostly wear animal skin from the animals they hunted or raised. The Navajo Indians would also wear paintings on their body, or permanent makings of a tattoo. The art on ones body would signify a persons age, social or material status, or for men, their level of skill as a warrior. The Navajo Indians would also wear many jewelry pieces. The Navajo Indians did not use silver jewelry until around 1870. The increase of silver jewelry among the Navajo’s at the time reflected the adaptation of these peoples to life as herds and silversmiths on the newly established reservations.

Long before European fur traders established their commerce on the North American continent, the fur trade had a long lucrative history that impacted native Americans and their modes of life. As a desirable and profitable good, fur was sought to “be the most valuable single item of trade.” Soon, a competitive market trade ground for fur emerged and the fur trade changed how Indian tribes adapted from their previous habitats: they were the primary manufacturers. Eric Wolf then discusses the consequences of the fur trade for different groups of Native American tribes both on the concepts of dependency and on the levels of how social economic relationships are changed. To support his claims, I will compare and contrast the experiences of the Abenaki

During the 1800's, there was a noticeable spike in demand for animal fur's, pelt's, and hide's. Especially in distant countries such as Spain and England. People believed that wearing the fur's or having them around the house, such as rugs or throws was a sign of their wealth. Due to this sudden high demand, men began noticing they could generate a significant amount of money by opening businesses and selling the animal fur's, hide's, and pelt's as well as, other supplies for trapping and other jobs. In 1833, three business partners decided they wanted to take a chance and open a fur trading post as well. However, not only was this trading post for selling goods, it would also become headquarters for an Army unit. In an open area now known as La Junta, Colorado, the three business partners, brothers William and Charles Bent, and Ceran St. Vrain opened their first trading post, naming it Bent's Fort. Bent's fort quickly became a very popular and successful trading post in Colorado selling animal fur's and, other goods as well as, housing an Army unit.

The Sioux made clothes from animals in their homelands. The men wore breechcloths and thigh length leggings. The leggings often had fringes or porcupine quills on the outside seams. Their shirts were made from a whole animal hide. The hide was sewn under the arms to make loose sleeves. The bottom of the shirt and sleeves had fringes. The shirts were decorated with porcupine quills, beads, hair locks, or animal tails. Women wore deerskin dresses and skirts. The dresses were sewn from 2 or 3 animal skins. The hem and sleeves had fringes. Some dress tops had quill work, beads, elk teeth, or seashell decorations. Men and women wore moccasins. Sometimes they made them with fur still attached. When it was winter, the moccasins could be turned with the

For instance, a respected Teton Sioux elder may choose to wrap a wool blanket around