"In the Great
Lakes region the development of the floral style can be interpreted as a
subversion of the missionary-taught embroidery." David W Penney
Native women were
able to embed important religious and cultural messages within floral images
because flowers symbolized (and communicated) different cultural points of
view.
The most important
manitous are Thunderbird and Underwater Panther. Earth world, upon which humans reside, is a
island floating on a large lake. Beneath
the lake's waters dwell Underwater Panthers, mythic creatures with the body of
a lynx and a long, scaly tail, feared for their ability to stir up large
storms. Underwater Panthers also have
the power to move on land. This provides
them with vast knowledge of plants, including the herbs and roots used in plant
medicine.
The earliest
pouches, used for carrying personal medicine and tobacco, were made of whole
animal skins, folded over belts or suspended from the neck by netted fiber
cords. After exposure to European bags
and trade cloth, a new pouch style emerged.
These cloth pouches became known as "octopus bags" due to
their eight dangling tabs (four on each side) resembling tentacles. The four tabs replaced the four legs of the
animal's skin; the pouch opening was the animal's mouth.
