Native American/First Nations tartans?

[Noel Christian Riddell]

My paternal lineage is a straight line to Scotland -but I have NDN blood on both sides as well. Cherokee and Shawnee blood run in my veins. An Ojibwe friend once told me, 'Indian blood is like gold - no matter how thinly it is spun it still shines'.

I'm unaware of any First Nations tartans although I am 100% certain the NE tribes wore various tartans due to intense trading, occasional plunder, various intrigues with this army and that during the wars and skirmishes which marked the middle phase of Euro-colonization of the North American continent.

A fitting tribute to the Mohawk aspect of your ancestry may be to add a tribal badge in place of a traditional kilt pin. I know some amazing artisans who could produce for you a stunning beaded sporran.

[longhuntr74]

A fitting tribute to the Mohawk aspect of your ancestry may be to add a tribal badge in place of a traditional kilt pin. I know some amazing artisans who could produce for you a stunning beaded sporran.

He brings up an interesting point...I'm envisioning a beautiful quillworked sporran or possibly one in velvet and beadwork akin to the 19th century styles. I know exactly what you are speaking about when you refer to the Iroquois wearing a kilt-like garment...they did indeed. The very old book "League of the Iroquois" has a kilted Iroquois man on the front of it...but it should be noted that, if memory serves, this drawing is from the 19th century. It is possible, perhaps likely, that this is influence taken from the Scottish Regiments. I haven't researched it, so please don't go blasting me out of the water...just thinking out loud here.