Government Documents 1

Running head: Government Documents and Native Art

Annotated Bibliography:

Government Documents and Native American Art

Emporia State University

Monique Lloyd
 Government Documents 2

A number of state and federal government documents, dealing with American

Indians and rich in primary sources and dealing with early contact to present time, is

available for serious students in the subject. One excellent general resource is The

American Indian (GS 4.17/2:972/In 2), a microfilm collection covering a wide range of

subjects. Another useful collection, which is also on microfilm and contains a

wealth of ethnological information about American Indians, is the Bureau of American

Ethnology. Bulletin 1887-1977 (SI 2.3:200). Some of these bulletins are available online

at http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollections/BAE/baehome.htm

A classic article by Michael L. Tate (Tate, 1978) entitled Studying the American

Indian Through Government Documents and the National Archives is another excellent

resource. As he states in his introduction

The undergraduate student writing a first research paper will find this a lucrative
field for investigation since so much documentation is so readily available.
Graduate students and advanced scholars have already discovered this to be true,
and it is their continued work in government files which will produce the rapidly
needed reinterpretations of American history. (Tate, 295).

While Tate focuses primarily on Indian and white relations, his article does offer

resources which provide students background about cultural differences.

This annotated bibliography of government documents is intended for the

university level students studying Native American art and artifacts. The documents

included will be instrumental in helping the student understand the artistic, intellectual,

and spiritual heritage of Native American artists, gain insight into the styles and

symbolism used in Native American Art, provide knowledge about selected Native

American artists known for their contemporary art as well as to historical artifacts.
 Government Documents 3

Some of the documents describe the formation of the Indian Arts and Crafts

Council and the continued efforts to train Native American artists while others deal with

enforcing legal provisions forbidding selling fake American Indian art and crafts as

genuine.

The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-644) is a truth-in-advertising
law that prohibits misrepresentation in marketing of Indian arts and crafts
products within the United States. It is illegal to offer or display for sale, or sell
any art or craft product in a manner that falsely suggests it is Indian produced, an
Indian product, or the product of a particular Indian or Indian Tribe or Indian arts
and crafts organization, resident within the United States. (U.S. Department of
the Interior website).

Most of these government documents, however, are small brochures and guides to

exhibits held at various Native American museums and craft centers. They include

contemporary artists from a number of tribes who work in a variety of mediums as well

as exhibits of traditional Native American arts and crafts including basketry, beading,

quillwork, and pottery. Most include biographies of the artist which provide insight into

their cultural traditions and the symbols used in their art. Many include detailed

information about the history and methods used and a few provide information about

additional forms students of Native American can utilize as they seek to enhance their

knowledge about Native American art and artists.

 Government Documents 4

Alaskan Native Art. U.S. Department of the Interior Indian Arts & Crafts Board, Alaska

State Council on the Arts, 2002. (FT 1.2:AL 1 S)

This colorful brochure includes information on how to identify arts and crafts

made by Alaskan natives and focuses specifically on Alaskan Native carvings, describing

the different mediums used (walrus ivory, soapstone, argillite, bone, and alabaster) and

on handcrafted Alaskan dolls made from mink, badger, arctic rabbit, seal, and other

animal fur. The brochure provided detailed information describing the complaint

procedure to the Indian Arts and Crafts Board if fraudulent or deceptive practices are

suspected.

American Indian and Alaskan Native Arts and Crafts. U.S. Department of the Interior,

Indian Arts & Crafts Board, Washington, D.C. 1996 (I 1.84:Am 3)

This full-color booklet provides extensive information about the arts and crafts of

the major Native American cultural areas (woodlands plains, southwest, California and

great basin, and northwest coast and Alaska) and is lavishly illustrated with many

photographs in full color of examples including beaded items, baskets, jewelry, carvings,

and sculptures.

Baskets: Red Willow and Birchbark. U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian

Arts & Crafts Board. Sioux Indian Museum and Crafts Center, Rapid

City, SD 1990 (I 1.84: B 29)

This special exhibit of baskets from the Sioux Indian Museum’s permanent

collection were made by Rose Crew, of Chippewa descent. The brochure shows
 Government Documents 5

photographs of a half-dozen examples of her work. It also provides information about

the process used to prepare the bark to be make the baskets and how they are constructed.

Beaded Gauntlets. U.S. Department of the Interior. Indian Arts & Crafts Board,

Museum of the Plains Indian and Craft Center, 1994, Browning, MT. ((I 1.84:

G23)

Beaded gantlets, a decorative accessory usually identified with the Northern

Plains Indian tribes, and made of buckskin or canvas and decorated with beadwork or

quillwork in floral and geometric patterns, are the subject of this exhibition catalog from

1994. Nine full color photographs are provided showing decorated gauntlets trimmed

with buckskin fringe or strings of beads. These were often used in parades. A citation

for further information, After the Buffalo Were Gone: The Louis Warren Hill Sr.

Collection of Indian Art by Ann T. Walton, John C. Ewers, and Royal B. Hassricks is

provided for students seeking more detailed information.

Brent Learned Paintings. U.S. Department of the Interior. Indian Arts & Crafts Board.

Southern Plains Indian Museum, 2005. Anadarko, OK (I 1.84: L 43x)

A 2005 exhibit of painting by Brent Learned, who is of Cheyenne and Arapaho

descent, is the subject of this catalog. The brochure is printed on glossy paper and

includes five full color photographs. His large oil paintings are bold and vibrant

depictions of Plains Indians done in a contemporary, bright and impressionistic style.

The biography of the artist states that some of his work is in the Smithsonian Institution

in Washington, D.C. and in the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in
 Government Documents 6

Oklahoma City.

Development of Native American Culture and Art. Hearing before the Select Committee

on Indian Affairs, U.S. Senate, Ninety-Sixth Congress, Second Session on S.

2166, To Promote the Development of Native American Culture and Art, 1980.

(Y4. In 2/11:N21)

This document contains statements from Native Americans representing tribes

across the United States, as well as representatives from the Institute of American Indian

Arts, and those representing tribal artist groups, supporting the idea of developing a

National Institute of Native American Culture and Art.

Dolls and Quillwork by Bob and Lawrence Tail Feathers. U.S. Department of the

Interior, Indian Arts & Crafts Board, Museum of the Plains Indian and Crafts

Center, 1990, Browning, MT (I. 1.84: D 69/3)

These brothers, while working in very different mediums, both reflect traditional

values. Lawrence Tail Feather’s mixed media sculptures depicting men and women

ceremonial clothing and Bob Tail Feather’s quillwork items including a feather fan, a

pair of porcupine quilled barrettes, and quilled earrings are shown in black-and-white

photographs in the brochure. A brief biography of each artist is provided.

Dolls by Cecelia Fire Thunder. U.S. Department of the Interior Indian Arts & Crafts

Board, Sioux Indian Museum and Craft Center, March, 1988, Rapid City,

S.D. (I 1:84:D 69)

 Government Documents 7

Traditional Indian dolls made of wool, shell, and buckskin and decorated with

beaded dresses and moccasins representing men and women powwow dancers, are the

subject of this exhibition brochure. The artist, Cecelia Fire Thunder of Oglala Sioux

descent, makes her own dance outfits using old photographs of authentic dresses as

inspiration. The brochure provides a brief biography of the artist as well as black-and-

white photographs of five of her dolls.

Dream Catcher’s Artists Guild. U.S. Department of the Interior. Indian Arts & Crafts

Board, Sioux Indian Museum and Crafts Center. June, 1987. Rapid City SD,

(I 1.84:Ar 7/2)

This exhibition brochure describes the work of eight Lakota tribal artists who

reside in different parts of the United States. It includes black-and-white photographs

representative of their work alongside a brief quotation from each artist. The

photographs display the various mediums they work in, including watercolors, bronze,

fiber, and acrylic paint and the text describes how each expresses his dreams and visions

in various styles.

Elaine Creepingbear’s Sculpture. U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts and Crafts

Board, Southern Plains Indian Museum, Anadarko, OK, 2003 (I 1.84: C 86X)

Full color photographs of soapstone and alabaster sculptures, primarily of women

of various tribes in their role as mothers, is the focus of this exhibition brochure. The

artist’s use of curves and lines emphasize the tenderness and compassion of her subjects.

A brief biography and small photograph of the artist is included.

 Government Documents 8

Fact Sheet: General Information About the Activities of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board,

U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts & Crafts Board. 1978 (I 84:In 2)

This seven page document provides information about the history of the Indian

Arts & Crafts Board, describing the training it provides to Native American artists and

explaining how it operates. It is illustrated with numerous black and white photographs

and is an excellent document for understanding its development from its beginning in

1935.

Fact Sheet: Indian Arts and Crafts Board Publications and Audiovisuals. U.S.

Department of the Interior, Indian Arts & Crafts Board, 1978 (I 1:84: P 96)

While dated, this publication offers a view into what as available thirty years ago

including a bibliography of Native American Arts and Crafts, exhibition catalogs, slide

lecture kits, and a 20 minute film about Native American, Eskimo, and Aleut art. This

document may be especially useful to those seeking historical information.

Fact Sheet: Sources of Reproductions of Works by Contemporary Native American

Artists, U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts & Crafts Board, 1978 (I

1.84:R 29)

This list of sources of commercial reproductions of works by contemporary

Native American artists is dated, but does provide the student with historical information

regarding sources available at the time. Most, although not all of the businesses listed,

were owned and operated by Native Americans.

 Government Documents 9

Historic and Contemporary Plateau and Plains Cradles. U.S. Department of the Interior,

Indian Arts & Crafts Board Museum of the Plains Indian and Craft Center,

1995, Browning, MT (I 1.84: H 62)

Twenty cradles are show in full color photographs in this 1995 exhibit brochure.

The brochure includes information about what the cradles were made of (tanned

and smoked buckskin) and construction features (a hood to protect the baby’s face and

aprons covering the lacing which secured the baby). Many are decorated with floral and

geometric beadwork and one photograph showed an unusual style of Native American

beadwork, the “interrupted stitch”, which is similar to a running stitch. Information

about other types of cradles including those made by the Crow and by the Lakota, are

also provided.

Horse Dance Sticks and Rattles. U.S. Department of the Interior. Indian Arts & Crafts

Board, Museum of the Plains Indian & Crafts Center, 1996, Browning, MT

(I 1.84: H 78)

Horse dance sticks and rattles made from cedar and decorated with horse hair is

the subject of this exhibition catalog from 1996. The brochure includes nine color

photographs of the realistic horse head sculptures made by the artist, Clifford Nichols, a

member of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. A short biography of the artist is

provided.

Hoye Waye. I’m Sending A Voice. U.S. Department of the Interior. Indian Arts and

Crafts Board. Sioux Museum and Crafts Center. 1991. Rapid City, S.D.
 Government Documents 10

(I 1.84: H 85)

David Dewane Claymore is of Hunkpapa and Minneconjou descent and is a

silversmith, specializing in jewelry. Color photographs of his buckles, medallions, bolo

ties as well as bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, some of which include lapis and mother-

of-pearl inlay, are shown in this 1991 exhibit of his work.

Indian Arts and Crafts: hearing before the Committee on Indian Affairs, United States

Senate, One Hundred Sixth Congress, second session, on Public Law 101-644, to

expand the powers of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, May 17, 2000,

Washington D.C. (Y 4.IN 2/11:S.HRG. 106-568).

This document includes statements by representatives of the Indian Arts and

Crafts board as well as from several Native American tribes and U.S. Senators regarding

the implementation of the Indian Arts Crafts Act of 1990 which had two goals: to

promote the development of Native American economic development and to strengthen

enforcement provisions for violations of the act. It is the latter that this hearing

addressed, specifically expanding the powers of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board to

proceed with more enforcement.

Indian Flutes. U.S. Department of the Interior. Indian Arts and Crafts Board. Museum

of the Plains Indian and Crafts Center. 1991. Browning MT (I 1.84: IN 2/2)

The work of James “Rocco” Nichols, a member of the Colville Indian Tribe from

Nespelem, Washington and a flute maker, is the subject of this exhibit catalog. This

exhibit, held in 1991, features flutes about 20” in length, decorated with buckskin,
 Government Documents 11

beadwork, and cloth. Information about Indian flutes including that they were individual

instruments used by young men when courting and made of cedar or redwood, is

provided as a short biography of the artist.

Interpreting the past: research with public participation/edited by LouAnn Jacobson and J

June-el Piper. Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Office, Cultural

Resources Series No. 10, 1992, Santa Fe, NM. (I 53.22/9:10)

This 97-page monograph provides archeological information about several New

Mexico reservations. The most useful section for art students is a fourteen-page article

by Helen K. Crotty describing new Mexico’s rock art sites. It includes maps, black and

white photographs of various petrogylphs, and a detailed reference section for further

study.

Museum Collection; Cross-Stitch and Weavings. U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian

Arts and Crafts Board, Sioux Indian Museum and Craft Center, Rapid City S.D.

1993 (I 1.84: C 88)

This exhibit is of hand-crafted cross-stitch linens and yarn weavings from the

Museum’s permanent collection. They are an example of craft production done as a

result of the federal government encouraging self-help and economic development

projects featuring native arts and crafts in the 1930’s. The four black and white and one

color photographs are of tablecloths, blankets, and finger towels. Northern Plains designs

and motifs were adapted to this craft. Weavings created on looms were also included in

the exhibit.
 Government Documents 12

Native Crafts. U.S. Department of the Interior. Indian Arts & Crafts Board, Museum

Of the Plains Indian and Crafts Center, Browning, MT, 1998 (I 1.84/4: D 34)

This exhibit focuses on various crafts made by members of the Blackfeet tribe.

They include pipebags, an awl case, berry baskets, and rattles which are made of a

variety of materials included buckskin glass beads brass bells, deer leg bones, birchbark,

and trade cloth. Brief biographies of the artists are provided.

Northern Plains Beaded Bags. U.S. Department of the Interior. Museum of the Plains

Indian & Crafts Center, 1991, Browning, MT (I 1.84: P 69/3)

An exhibition brochure for a 1991 exhibit featuring beaded bags made by

contemporary Native American craftsmen. The bags, made of animal skin bags, were

used for different purposes. Men used them to carry tobacco and a pipe bowl and stem.

Large bags, known as “possible bags” were used to carry a variety of items often

clothing, or any other possible thing. Smaller bags were fastened to belts and used to

hold daily necessities. The brochure’s color cover shows four bags. The inside pages has

black and white photographs of bags beaded with seed beads on buckskin or cloth from

the Sioux, Salish, Blackfeet and Yakima tribes.

Northern Plains Indian Art. U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts & Crafts

Board, Sioux Museum and Crafts Center, Rapid City, SD 1991 (I 1 84:P69/2)

This exhibit of the works of three Northern Plains artisans includes beaded hat

bands, kettle sticks, dance sticks, and pottery. Photographs and biographies of the artists
 Government Documents 13

are provided.

Painted Parfleche Containers. U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts & Crafts

Board, Museum of the Plains Indian and Crafts Center, Browning, MT, 1996

(I 1.84:P 16/6)

This brochure provides a dozen color photographs of parfleche containers,

commonly referred to as Plains Indian suit-cases. The items for the exhibit were chosen

to show the distinctive abstract designs painted by the women who made them. The

brochure provides information about the meaning of parfleche (a word meaning rawhide,

which was taken from the French-Canadian Metis). Information about the designs as

well as the methods used to make and decorate these items is included.

Paintings and Drawings by J. Houston-Emerson. U.S. Department of the Interior.

Indian Arts and Crafts Board. 2004 Northern Plains Indian Museum, Anadarko,

OK (I 1.84:H 81 X)

This 2004 exhibition catalog is of artwork done by J. Houston-Emerson, a

Cherokee who belongs to the Bird Clan. Color photographs of four of her works are

provided as is a brief biography of the artist. These pen and ink, charcoal, and pastel

drawings and acrylic and oil paintings all have a contemporary theme, most of the human

figure. Some have distinctive Native American themes. One, for example, is of a figure

who is part bird and part human and is entitled Cooweescoowee..How I Got My Name.

Paintings by Clarence Cuts The Rope, U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts and
 Government Documents 14

Crafts Board, Museum of the Plains Indian and Crafts Center, Browning, MT,

1990 (I 1.84: C 54)

A Gros Ventre Indian, Clarence Cuts The Rope, is an artist who works in acrylics

as well as pen and ink. This exhibition catalog provides five black and white as well

one color photograph of his works which depict wildlife, landscapes and portraits. A

brief biography as well as a small photograph of the artist is given.

Pipes and Pipe Bags. U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts & Crafts Board,

Sioux Indian Museum and Crafts Center, 1990, Rapid City, SD (I 1.84: P 66)

This brochure is for a 1990 exhibit of pipes and pipe bags from the Sioux Indian

Museum and Crafts Center’s permanent collection. A brief explanation of why the pipes

were used (religiously and ceremonially), what they are made of (a stone called catlinite

with pipe stems made of ash, willow, or cottonwood), and how they are decorated is

. Information about pipe bags (made of beaded or quilled tanned deerskin) and

the ritual involved in smoking is also included.

Plains Indian Leggings. U.S. Department of the Interior. Indian Arts & Crafts Board,

Museum of the Plains Indian and Crafts Center Browning, MT, 1997

(I 1.84: P 69/4)

Along with eight detailed, color photographs of beaded leggings made of

Buckskin, glass beads leather, and cloth this exhibit brochure includes information

about the history of leggings worn by the Plains Indians as well as how they were made.

There is also an explanation of the meaning of the traditional beadwork symbolism as

 Government Documents 15

well as the different types of leggings among different tribes including Blackfeet,

Assiniboine, and the Sioux.

Quillwork by the Red Cloud Family. U.S. Department of the Inteior. Indian Arts &

Crafts Board, Sioux Indian Museum and Crafts Center, Rapid City, S.D. 1991

(I 1.84: Q 4/3)

This exhibition catalog not only provides black and white photographs showing

detailed quillwork on hatbands, bracelets, barrettes, pouches, and hair ties, it also

provides an historical overview of quillwork as well as information about various quilling

techniques including wrapping and tubing. There is also a biography of the Red Cloud

family, a Sioux family of prolific and expert quillworkers.

Quilts by Iris Allrunner. U.S. Department of the Interior. Indian Arts & Crafts

Board, Museum of the Plains Indian & Crafts Center, Browning MT

1994 (I 1.84:q 4/4)

Of Sioux descent, Iris Allrunner, is a quilter who makes traditional Blazing

Star quilts, a favorite design of Native American quilters. This exhibit brochure shows

four examples of her work in color photographs and a brief biography of the artist is

given. Quilts such as these are often included in powwow give-aways.

Red Turtle: Paintings by Louise Harrison. U.S. Department of the Interior Indian Arts

& Crafts Board, Museum of the Plains Indian & Crafts Center Browning MT.

1992 (I 1.84: R 24)

 Government Documents 16

Louise Harrison, of Southern Cheyenne/Arapaho descent and a graduate of the

Institute of American Indian Arts in Sante Fe, New Mexico, focusing on beadwork.

When she decided to begin painting, she combined beadwork with acrylic painting on

canvas. This is a brochure for the exhibit of this work, depictions of Indian symbolism

and cultural activities, specifically of the Nez Perce and other Plateau Indian tribes,

which was held at the Northern Plains Indian Crafts Association in 1992.

Ross Denny. Glass Seed Embroidery. U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts &

Crafts Board, Museum of the Plains Indian & Crafts Center, 1998, Browning,

MT (I 1.84: R 71)

A beader who specializes in traditional beading attire worn at powwows and other

special occasions is the subject of this brochure for a 1998 exhibit. Ross Denny is

especially noted for the fully beaded capes he makes for women traditional dancers. The

dramatic color photographs of his pieces capture his exquisite and detailed work using

glass beads and include a traditional beaded cape, a pair of men’s parade moccasins, and

amulets made of beaded buckskin.

Silverwork by Reed Haskell. U.S. Department of the Interior. Indian Arts & Crafts

Council, Sioux Indian Museum and Crafts Center, Rapid City, SD 1988

(I 84:Sl 3)

A Cheyenne River Sioux, Reed Haskell is a silversmith who creates exquisite

pieces of sterling and nickel silver overlaid with cooper and bronze. He occasionally

adds red and black pipestone as well as mother-of-pearl to his creations and features
 Government Documents 17

Native American symbols including the horse, the pipe, eagle feathers, and the medicine

wheel. Five black and white photographs of his works, including pendants, pinks and

earrings are included in this exhibition brochure.

Stoneware by Robert Big Elk. U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts and Crafts

Board, Sioux Indian Museum and Craft Center, Rapid City, SD 1992 (I 1.84:St 7)

Robert Big Elk’s pottery made of stoneware are painted and/or delicately

embellished with leather, pearl buttons beads bone hairpipe, and horsehair. This catalog

shows five color photographs of his bowls. Information about the artist, including his

views of the world ( “…we are all joined together. Each pot has a center just as we

humans do”) is also presented.

Theresa Guoladdle Carter’s Beadwork. U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts

& Crafts Board, Southern Plains Indian Museum, Anadarko, OK, 2003

(I 1.84:C 37x)

This exhibition catalog includes color photographs of beaded buckskin dresses

Leggings, belts, and purses designed and made by Theresa Guoladdle Carter, a member

of the Kiowa tribe of Oklahoma. These items are worn at powwows as well as in

ceremonial occasions. A biography of the artist is provided.

The Sioux. U.S. Department of the Interior. Indian Arts & Crafts Board, Sioux

Indian Museum and Crafts Center, Rapid City, S.D. 1994 (I 1.84: SI 7/2/994)

This booklet tells the history of the Sioux people including their origins and
 Government Documents 18

westward migrations, Sioux-American relations, and the early reservations. It also

describes political, cultural, and territorial distinctions among the Sioux. Black and

white photographs of a medicine bundle, a beaded man’s vest, a pipe and tobacco pouch,

a war bonnet, and an ink and watercolor of a winter count are shown. Of special interest

to art students and researchers is a bibliography of suggested readings which includes sch

work as “Quill and Beadwork of the Western Sioux” by Carrie A. Lyford and

“Contemporary Sioux Painting” by Myles Libhart.

The Yellowman Family: Art and Craftwork. U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts

& Crafts Board, Southern Plains Indian Museum, Anadarko, OK, 2005. (I

1.84:Y 3x)

An exhibit catalog highlighting the work of Gordon and Connie Yellowman, who

are respectively, a mixed media artist and a beadworker. The exhibit, which was held in

2005, includes examples of both their works. This brochure provides a summary of their

artistic accomplishments as well as color photographs of their work including a print and

a watercolor done by Gordon Yellowman and a beaded tobacco bag and a beaded sweet

grass bag crafted by Connie Yellowman.

Tom Gervais Sculptures. U.S. Department of the Interior. Indian Arts & Crafts

Board. Museum of the Plains Indian & Crafts Center. 1996. Browning,

MT (I 1.84: G 32)

These sculptures, made of antlers shed by deer, moose, and elks during the winter

and found by the artist during the spring and summer months in the Rocky Mountains
 Government Documents 19

near Glacier National Park and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, are shown in color

photographs in this brochure. A biography of the artist is also provided.

Toys and Games. U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts & Crafts Board,

Sioux Indian Museum and Crafts Center, 1992, Rapid City, SD (I 1.84: M 97)

This exhibit brochure describes a 1992 exhibit from the Museum’s permanent

historic and contemporary collections of toys and games used by Sioux children. These

were not just playthings but were serious learning tools used to foster social development

and survival skills. Many of the games’ origins are from mythology and legend; some

have roots in sacred rites and ceremonials. The brochure provides a rich historical

background in Sioux toys including which toys and games were considered adult or

segregated by gender, and describes games and toys such as the horn dart game, the bull-

roarer, the whizzer, and the moccasin game. Black-and-white photographs of a beaded

doll carrier, a dice game made of horn and plum seeds, a bone game made of dear toes,

buckskin thongs and beads, as well as dolls made of buckskin and cloth are included.

Traditional Crafts by Maynard White Owl Lavadour. U.S. Department of the Interior.

Indian Arts & Crafts Board, Museum of the Plains Indian and Crafts Center,

Browning, MT, 1989 (I 1.84:T67)

Maynard White Owl Lavadour , who is of Cayuse/Nez Perce descent, is a prolific

and talented artist who creates a variety of traditional crafts including beaded buckskin

clothing, beaded vests, cornhusk and beaded baskets, cradleboards, moccasins quivers,
 Government Documents 20

and bandoliers. His work has been exhibited in the Smithsonian and the Metropolitan

Museum of Art. Color photographs of some of his items on exhibit include a buckskin

beaded man’s shirt, a woman’s fully beaded wool dress a beaded horsecollar, a beaded

buckskin cape, and beaded cradleboard.

Tree Many Feathers’s Leather and Silver. U.S. Department of the Interior. Museum of

the Plains Indian and Craft Center Browning, MT, 1994 ( I 1.84: L48)

Tree Many Feathers, a Blackfeet Indian craftsman, specializes in jewelry

particularly of hand-etched scrimshaw on mastodon ivory from Alaska as well as silver

with beads and quillwork with elk ivory. This exhibition catalog gives a brief biography

of the artist along with color photographs of some of his work including a bolo tie, bags,

and silver bracelets.

 Government Documents 21

References

Tate, M.L. Studying the American Indian through government documents and the

national archives. Government Publication Review 5 (3), 285-294.

Interior Department of the Interior. Indian Arts and Crafts Board. Accessed July 30,

2007) http://www.doi.gov/iacb/act.html