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Star QuiltsA History of the Plains Indians Quilting Traditions
Plains Indians
• Reside in the Northwestern United States
• Montana tribes– Assiniboine– Sioux– Gros Ventre– Chippewa-
Cree– Blackfeet– Kootenai– Salish– Pend d’Oreille– Crow– Northern
Cheyenne
Early 1800’s
• Plains Indians relied on the buffalo for survival– Food, clothing, and shelter
• Led a nomadic lifestyle – Had to follow the buffalo herds
• Painted geometrical designs and symbols on buffalo hides– Hides were used for bedding,
teepees, and clothing
Late 1800’s
• Buffalo became extinct• Hides were no longer
available• Plains Indians turned to
missionaries, fur traders, and explorers to obtain supplies
• Missionaries taught Indian women how to make quilts
The Beginnings of the Star Quilt
• Why did Indian women need to learn how to quilt?– To make bedding, since buffalo
hides were no longer available
• Began incorporating the symbols seen in the past on buffalo hides into quilting designs
Morning Star
• Became the dominant quilt design for Plains Indians
• Represents a new day and new beginnings
The Star Quilt
• The morning star design is now known as the Star Quilt
• Made up of MANY small diamonds
The Number 4
• A sacred number that represents– The directions of the four winds– The four powers of the universe– The four seasons
• Shown in the morning star design – The four directions that the star
points
• It is common for 4 colors to be used in star quilts
Making Quilting Their Own
• Plains Indians have made quilting their own cultural art form
• Star quilts have become a very important part of their culture
• The star quilt is the modern equivalent to painted buffalo hides
Giveaway Ceremonies
• Giveaway ceremonies are seen as hospitality Indian style
• Star quilts are given away at many different events – Memorial services– Graduations– Weddings– Funerals– Births– Powwows – Basketball games– Naming Ceremonies
Symbolic Meaning of Giveaways
• Quilter is spreading love and friendship
• Quilter is giving part of themselves to another person
• Honors the recipient and the quilter
• Recipients experience joy from this gift
What do Star Quilts teach us about Native Americans?
• History– Survival
• Had to find something to replace buffalo hides
– Necessity• Had to have bedding to keep warm
• Culture– Morning star symbolism– The sacred number 4– Giveaways