Potawatomi
During the early 1600s the Potawatomi
were forced into Wisconsin from
their homeland in Michigan. By the mid 1700s they had expanded
from eastern Wisconsin into Illinois, Indiana, and back into
Michigan. During the 1830s and 1840s they were forced onto reservations
in Kansas and Iowa. Some moved to Oklahoma in 1867. Others remain
in Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, southern Ontario, and Kansas.
Several features characterize Potawatomi bags:
- Identical designs on both sides of the
strap
- The bag and strap designs are the same
or closely related
- The fill of appliqué floral elements
is not in graduated colors
Northern Wisconsin tribe, possibly Potawatomi, 1880
The continuity of the woven design from
the bag to both sides of the strap suggests a northern Wisconsin
origin, although the designs are large and not repetitive like
Winnebago designs.
Source: Loan from the Kansas City Museum Collection, Courtesy
of Union Station Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
[1940-686]
Potawatomi, 1945
This bag was probably made as part of a
cultural revival. The bead colors differ from those on bags made
in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Though somewhat modern, the
design and color continuity from tabs to bag to strap suggest
Potawatomi origin.
Source: Loan from the University of Kansas Museum of Anthropology,
Lawrence.
[E5696, 70.13.1]
Potawatomi, 1945
This bag was probably made as part of a
cultural revival. The bead colors differ from those on bags made
in the late 1800s or early 1900s.Though modern, the continuity
of design from tabs to main panel to strap conform to the old
Potawatomi standard.
Source: Loan from the University of Kansas Museum of Anthropology,
Lawrence.
[E5474]
