| Deb Tiger is a maker of traditional Native American | | | | small sage wreaths, willow and quilled medicine wheels, |
| clothing. She also makes Native American crafts. She | | | | and medicine bags. Hanging on the tree are beaded |
| is just one of the Native American artists who have | | | | dream catchers, and many sacred animals. The |
| items placed on the History Tree at Prairie Star Gallery | | | | ornaments are made from everything from leather to |
| in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. At the 10th annual tradition | | | | stained glass. |
| at the downtown Sioux Falls native art gallery, there is | | | | Other Crafters |
| a twelve foot tree that is covered in decorations. | | | | Ben Spirit Track made medallions from beads, a craft |
| Deb Tiger's tiny baby moccasins are carefully sewn | | | | he learned from his grandmother. He hopes that the |
| with beads in traditional patterns. She also made | | | | tree will pass some of the Native American beading |
| miniature replicas of garments she makes for | | | | traditions onto future generations, by rousing interest. |
| pow-pow dancers and anyone else who wants | | | | One of his medallions is made of leather and is round |
| traditional Native American Clothing. | | | | with beads stitched into the center. It symbolizes the |
| Everything on the tree is hand made using Native | | | | four directions and the round shape is symbolic of the |
| American traditional techniques and materials. Every | | | | Earth. |
| reservation and tribal group in South Dakota is | | | | Jaida Gray Eagle made beaded dream-catchers for |
| represented and has contributed items for the History | | | | the tree. |
| Tree, which will be on display until the end of January. | | | | Ben McBride provided some miniature drums. He |
| The ornaments that are for sale were made by about | | | | learned beading from his family and in school where |
| a hundred families who contributed over a thousand | | | | traditional beading techniques are still taught to the |
| items for the tree. Every member of the family works | | | | children. |
| on the ornament: The father, mother, children, grand | | | | Although beading is traditional in Native America culture, |
| children all work together. | | | | many other cultures world wide have beading |
| The tree features a broad range of hand-made items: | | | | traditions. The Bead Cottage can help you with ideas |
| baby moccasins, tiny breastplates and headdresses, | | | | and inspiration for your beading projects. |