This is Melanie Fillmore, a Native American from the Lakota Tribe of South Dakota. She came to our home school group and shared with us her Native American history, traditions, and culture.
Here is a beautiful quilt made for her when she was married. The colors, shapes and layout are all symbolic of her personality, tribe, tradition, etc. They are a very sentimental people and cherish these priceless gifts, and look for opportunities to give them as well.
These are several things she brought for the kids to see... a child's regalia, sweet grass, a sage bundle, eagle feather, moccasins, tribal rattle, bead-work, jewlery, and charms.
This is Melanie's dream catcher which wards away bad dreams. She showed all the kids how to make their own smaller version which they made and then took home to put above their beds.
Melanie, then dressed into her tribal Regalia. All Regalia are gifts given by loved ones who create and then hand make the Regalia specifically for the loved one. It is beautiful and all very symbolic. Melanie said the materials cost well over $1500. The beadwork alone is something to marvel over.
She performed a couple of tribal dances for us. It almost brought me to tears. I'm not sure why. I suppose it brings back many memories of my youth in Arizona and New Mexico. I think that these dances and symbols and traditions are beautiful and very spiritual.
What a great experience for our kids!
This is Melanie Fillmore, a Native American from the Lakota Tribe of South Dakota. She came to our home school group and shared with us her Native American history, traditions, and culture.
Here is a beautiful quilt made for her when she was married. The colors, shapes and layout are all symbolic of her personality, tribe, tradition, etc. They are a very sentimental people and cherish these priceless gifts, and look for opportunities to give them as well.
These are several things she brought for the kids to see... a child's regalia, sweet grass, a sage bundle, eagle feather, moccasins, tribal rattle, bead-work, jewlery, and charms.
This is Melanie's dream catcher which wards away bad dreams. She showed all the kids how to make their own smaller version which they made and then took home to put above their beds.
Melanie, then dressed into her tribal Regalia. All Regalia are gifts given by loved ones who create and then hand make the Regalia specifically for the loved one. It is beautiful and all very symbolic. Melanie said the materials cost well over $1500. The beadwork alone is something to marvel over. 
She performed a couple of tribal dances for us. It almost brought me to tears. I'm not sure why. I suppose it brings back many memories of my youth in Arizona and New Mexico. I think that these dances and symbols and traditions are beautiful and very spiritual.
What a great experience for our kids!
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