Native American Territory

On the wall, as you enter the museum doors you will see a muslim pictograph from around 1895. These drawings were more than art; they were historical records, often recounting the exploits and honors of warriors. Notice the specific details in the headdresses and clothing—these were markers of individual and tribal identity.

Nearby, the tipi exhibit illustrates the incredible craftsmanship of Seven Council Fires women, who were the primary architects and owners of these dwellings. While tipis were perfectly adapted for a mobile life following the buffalo, they also represent a deep spiritual connection to the circle of life. Today, the buffalo remains a sacred relative to the Seven Council Fires, and many tribal nations are leading efforts to return buffalo herds to their lands as a way of healing both the ecosystem and their culture.

Tipis were made by women, who sewed together about a dozen brain-tanned buffalo hides in a circular cape. It was the womens work to assemble the tipi and to take it down to be set up at the next camp. Tipis were dragged on travois by horses. A typical tipi was 15 to 18 feet high. There was a firepit in the center of the floor under the smoke hole.  Each family member had an assigned spot.

Moving around the corner you will view the Native American beadwork display. By the mid-nineteenth century, porcupine quillwork was largely replaced by glass beadwork in the Northern Plains. Beadwork is a vibrant, living art form. While glass beads were introduced through trade, Native artists quickly mastered them to express their own stories. Overtime the color of the beads changed and became brighter. The designs of the beadwork changed overtime also. Early beadwork is more geometrical shapes, and later beadwork included more floral designs. 

By 1890, it became fashionable to wear large beaded areas on dress yolks, baby carriers, blankets, war shirts and belts. Beads were a sign of personal wealth and plenty. When they were moved to reservations they made do with very little. Cotton and wool, replaced buckskin. Sinew was first used as thread for beadwork. Made from long tendons along the back bones of bison, deer, elk and cattle. When sinew was no longer available, they use cotton thread, which was less durable. Today, Beadwork is seen on the regalia of dancers. A way to stay in touch with proud traditions of the tribes and celebrate their roots.

Please enjoy the museum's collection of beautiful Native American beadwork, including a buckskin womans dress, with its extensive beadwork. The dress is made from brain-tanned elk or deer hide and has bright red beads in the yoke, dating it to around 1910. 

It is a common misconception that these arts declined and disappeared. While the transition to reservations brought immense hardship, the artistry endured. Today, you will see this same 'Lazy Stitch' or 'Overlay' technique on the regalia of dancers at contemporary powwows. These dresses are symbols of pride, resilience, and a cultural identity that remains unbroken. 

Pause to view the exhibit.

The Fur Trade

From 1815 to 1850, the fur trade thrived along the upper Missouri River, transforming the regions economy and people. The Missouri River was the lifeline of this region. Tribal nations were key economic players, but this era also brought 'irreversible change'.

The decline of the buffalo and the introduction of new diseases meant that by 1850, many tribes faced a forced transition away from self-sufficiency. The river that once facilitated trade also became the route for steamboats and, eventually, the military forces that would enforce government policies of displacement.

Forts like Fort Pierre and Fort Union became bustling centers of commerce. The steamboat revolutionized transport, replacing keelboats in 1831. As the fur trade declined, its legacy endured; intermarried communities, altered life ways, and deep, cultural exchange. It also marked the beginning of change for native societies. Government Indian Policy was aimed at establishing good relationships between traders and Indians. Government Indian Policy was often determined by the Indian Agents in favor of the fur traders interest. Fur trade was in declined by 1850. At the end, the tribes could not return to their former state of self-sufficiency due to no buffalo. Their way of life was in transition and changed forever as settlers arrived.