Unknown Maker, Shoshone

Some Native American men wear roach headdresses as part of their regalia. Originating in Eastern tribes, roaches were eventually adopted by Western tribes, including the Shoshone. This example is made from synthetically dyed deer and porcupine hair. Deer and porcupine are hunted for food, and their hair is used by tribal makers.

Following traditional knowledge, Indigenous makers can harvest materials in sustainable ways—including gathering porcupine quills without hurting the animal. This Anishinaabe artist used materials from their homelands in the Great Lakes region of Canada and the US. The design on the lid is porcupine quillwork, an art form the Anishinaabe are known for.

—SB