The beaded design elements on this shirt strongly suggest a Blackfoot origin. In addition, the cut of the shirt and the buckskin fringe (instead of ermine or hair fringe) suggest the piece is from the era of the Kaispa, or Parted Hair Society. This society was transferred ceremonially from the Assiniboine to the Blackfoot in the early 1900s. This transfer included certain items of clothing, such as the Sioux style eagle headdress. In many cases the "rights" to make the items and not the actual items were transferred. This shirt is an example of an Assiniboine, or Sioux, cut, or form, with traditional Blackfoot beadwork designs, (Raczka 1980).

Paul Raczka
October 2, 2000