Shawls: Wings Of God

WINGS OF G OD

S h aw l S a r e m o r e

t h a n i t e m S

o f c l o t h i n g.

t h e y a r e

t h e e m b o d i m e n t

o f t r u e

b e a u t y, a n d a

v e h i c l e f o r

n a t i v e w o m e n

t o c o n n e c t

t o t h e i r

i n n e r S e l v e S.

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b y S h a n n o n e d w a r d S p h o t o g r a p h S b y

J o h n J e r n i g a n

13

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It is said that the fringed

shawl symbolizes the

wings of God under

whom the wearer is

protected. For Native

American women, this

analogy holds true, her

shawl is her comforter,

and a symbol of her

initiation into the loving

arms of her culture.

A woman wearing a

shawl today is likely

to feel a spiritual

presence, at peace,

and protected.

m o d e l s

Joan Aitson (Otoe),

Brianna Chavez

(Kiowa/Pomo/Ponca)

Miss Indian OKC 2009,

Deanna Ewoldt (Kiowa),

Reina Greenwood

(Otoe/Kiowa/Comanche)

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Shawls are worn by women

of almost all Oklahoma

First Nations. Many

women own several.

They may be heirlooms,

or special gifts. They

may be kept tucked

away in a cedar chest,

worn only on important

occasions. Others may

be worn to convey the

owner’s personality,

or to catch the eye of

a contest judge.

I still have my first shawl,

made of purple wool

with matching triple

knotted fringe, given to

me by my Aunt, so that

I might take part in

Il’lon shka, the Osage

ceremonial dance.

My sister dances in a

magenta shawl—the

color of her first shawl.

Typically, young girls are

first given unadorned

shawls by a relative or

close friend. As they

are see designs on the

shawls of other women,

they develop ideas about

their “ideal” shawl.

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Julie O’Keefe didn’t have

a shawl that she felt

any connection with.

Two years ago, she

started to remember

shawls from her

youth. She sketched

them, and began

beading one-of-a-kind

handmade shawls,

complete with long

multi-colored, hand

dipped fringe. Her

designs incorporate

traditional motifs and

her own concepts, are

shown here, and on

pages 12, 15, and 18.

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Color, design and move-

ment come together

at dances. When girls

and women participate

in the “fancy shawl”

dance, the shawl is

unfolded and held

at arm’s length, while

the dancer twirls and

displays the shawl.

In a more traditional

dance, the fringe of

the shawl sways to

and fro, reminiscent

of shimmering tall

grass dancing on the

prairie. Whatever the

occasion, a shawl will

always be worn with

respect, and dignity.

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Fine Native American beaded and embroidered shawls, Osage dance shirts, jewlery, beads, Osage

Wrap around skirts, fabrics, art, and collectibles.

Located inside Town Maker Square, 519 Kikekah, Pawhuska, Ok, 74056

Native American business owner: Danette Daniels

Open Wednesday-Saturday 11am-5 pm. Business phone: 918-287-4424 ; Cell 405-206-0430

THE CEDAR CHEST