Native American Arts & Crafts

by Michelle Scott

Overview

One of the most important cornerstones of any Native American nation is its tradition of arts and crafts. Centuries ago, Native American groups developed individual methods and techniques for turning natural resources into utilitarian items needed for basic living. Today, many of those same techniques are still in use, fulfilling a need for highly sought after works of Native American arts and crafts.
Apache

The Apache are known for their basket weaving skills, creating baskets out of reeds, straw, juniper bark and yucca leaves, and decorated with handmade dyes and animal patterns.

Cherokee

The Cherokee have been creating bead art for hundreds of years. According to blueridgeheritage.com, beads were initially handmade from bones, shells and wood, but soon glass beads became a sought-after trade commodity with European travelers.
Haudenosaunee-Iroquois

According to iroquoismuseum.com, the artistic carving and sculpting skills of the Haudenosaunee people can be traced back for several centuries, and can be found as decorative design on utilitarian pieces such as flasks, combs and war clubs.
Navajo

According to navajoworld.com, the Navajo people are artisans of the dream catcher, believing that good dreams are pure and will pass through the tiny center hole to enter the sleeper's dreams, whereas bad dreams will get caught in the spirals and vanish at daylight.
Sioux

The Sioux are the best-known artisans of long-stemmed peace pipes called calumets. The calumets were crafted using hard woods native to the area and carved pieces of catlinite.