Dance bustles were also called "Crows". In his autobiography, Gordon Smith mentions how they were once made with feathers from many different birds, including crows. Bustles were thought to represent a battlefield, and only the feathers of birds who visited a battlefield after the fighting was over were used.

Dance bustles were also called "Crows". In his autobiography, Gordon Smith mentions how they were once made with feathers from many different birds, including crows. Bustles were thought to represent a battlefield, and only the feathers of birds who visited a battlefield after the fighting was over were used.

A warrior could not make a war bonnet until he had the correct number of eagle feathers, and those were earned by performing brave acts during battle. War bonnets are the ultimate status symbol because only the bravest men wore them.

A warrior could not make a war bonnet until he had the correct number of eagle feathers, and those were earned by performing brave acts during battle. War bonnets are the ultimate status symbol because only the bravest men wore them.

This war shirt and leggings outfit was created for a teenaged Gordon Smith, who was made a member of the Lakota Tribe in 1934. Traditionally, only a select few, called "Shirt Wearers," were permitted to wear war shirts. These men displayed acts of courage during war, as well as wisdom and generosity during their everyday lives. It was also believed that the shirts held special powers that protected the wearer in battle. The picture next to this outfit shows the young Gordon wearing these pieces while holding his pipe.

This war shirt and leggings outfit was created for a teenaged Gordon Smith, who was made a member of the Lakota Tribe in 1934. Traditionally, only a select few, called "Shirt Wearers," were permitted to wear war shirts. These men displayed acts of courage during war, as well as wisdom and generosity during their everyday lives. It was also believed that the shirts held special powers that protected the wearer in battle. The picture next to this outfit shows the young Gordon wearing these pieces while holding his pipe.

This war shirt and leggings outfit was created for a teenaged Gordon Smith, who was made a member of the Lakota Tribe in 1934. Traditionally, only a select few, called "Shirt Wearers," were permitted to wear war shirts. These men displayed acts of courage during war, as well as wisdom and generosity during their everyday lives. It was also believed that the shirts held special powers that protected the wearer in battle. The picture next to this outfit shows the young Gordon wearing these pieces while holding his pipe.

This war shirt and leggings outfit was created for a teenage Gordon Smith, who was made a member of the Lakota Tribe in 1934. Traditionally, only a select few, called "Shirt Wearers," were permitted to wear war shirts. These men displayed acts of courage during war, as well as wisdom and generosity during their everyday lives. It was also believed that the shirts held special powers that protected the wearer in battle. The picture next to this outfit shows the young Gordon wearing these pieces while holding his pipe.

This war shirt and leggings outfit was created for a teenaged Gordon Smith, who was made a member of the Lakota Tribe in 1934. Traditionally, only a select few, called "Shirt Wearers," were permitted to wear war shirts. These men displayed acts of courage during war, as well as wisdom and generosity during their everyday lives. It was also believed that the shirts held special powers that protected the wearer in battle. The picture next to this outfit shows the young Gordon wearing these pieces while holding his pipe.

This is a classic example of a Southern Plains three-hide dress in the Cheyenne style. The dress was made using three complete hides, one for the yoke, and one for each side of the skirt. Yellow was a popular color choice among the Cheyenne, as was the scalloped beadwork at the bottom of the dress. To complete the outfit, a woman would also wear a belt, like the one shown here with large silver conchas, as well as the highly decorated high top moccasins of the Southern Plains.

This is a classic example of a Southern Plains three-hide dress in the Cheyenne style. The dress was made using three complete hides, one for the yoke, and one for each side of the skirt. Yellow was a popular color choice among the Cheyenne, as was the scalloped beadwork at the bottom of the dress. To complete the outfit, a woman would also wear a belt, like the one shown here with large silver conchas, as well as the highly decorated high top moccasins of the Southern Plains.

This is a classic example of a Southern Plains three-hide dress in the Cheyenne style. The dress was made using three complete hides, one for the yoke, and one for each side of the skirt. Yellow was a popular color choice among the Cheyenne, as was the scalloped beadwork at the bottom of the dress. To complete the outfit, a woman would also wear a belt, like the one shown here with large silver conchas, as well as the highly decorated high top moccasins of the Southern Plains.

This is a classic example of a Southern Plains three-hide dress in the Cheyenne style. The dress was made using three complete hides, one for the yoke, and one for each side of the skirt. Yellow was a popular color choice among the Cheyenne, as was the scalloped beadwork at the bottom of the dress. To complete the outfit, a woman would also wear a belt, like the one shown here with large silver conchas, as well as the highly decorated high top moccasins of the Southern Plains.