Comparative Artifacts and Images

There is much diversity between the Indian tribes of North America. Their cultures and spiritual practices are rich with distinctive artifacts that reflect tribal traditions, tribal stories and the environment in which they lived. These differences were important to the tribal members and helped to provide a sense of community.

Nevertheless, among the plains tribes there are some similarities between items that held universal importance for the tribe. For example, moccasins may have an unique style based on the tribe and play an important part of costume in tribal ceremonies. The traditional Omaha moccasin style was decorated with a horizontal "X". However over time, the Omaha were influenced by other tribal styles that included floral motifs. This makes it difficult to define an Omaha style that can distinguished from the Oto, the Osage, or other tribes. "Floral beadwork varies from compact elements to floral elements connected by long stems and even to medallions. Ribbon work varies from broad and ostentatious to narrow and inconspicuous in the same time period".¹

One of the best ways to learn about the plains Indians is to examine artifacts and historical photographs that have been clearly attributed to a tribe. By making careful comparisons between the artifacts of identified tribes we can learn much about that tribe and how it was influenced by their neighbors.

We invite you to compare artifacts and draw your own conclusions below.