The prolific use of the American Flag symbol in American Indian material culture during the early reservation days can be explained in many different ways. For a detailed explanation see Herbst and Kopp, 1993, pp. 15-26: "Whatever the sources of the flag imagery, whether Sun Dance appropriating a symbol of Power, an amulet of protection, tourist-related sales, or sheer American Patriotism, the results were the creation of many curious and beautiful works of Native American art."