Ponca Shirt

Winter shirts were made of deer or elk skin, occasionally of buffalo hides. They had fitted sleeves and were decorated with fringes at the hems, as well as rosettes and quill work. These shirts were painted with linear designs such as stripes or horseshoes. Both indicate war exploits. These shirts, along with everything else the Ponca made, were always made with a prayer. When the Ponca beaded they would put an odd bead in the design to break the pattern, which made it so the pattern wouldn't be so perfect. The imperfection was meant to keep them humble.

        --Andrea, Marty Indian School