Spirit Dance Shirt

The accession file suggests that this shirt was made by a Tahltan person and then traded down to the Coast Salish community from which it was acquired. The paddles would have been added by its Salish owner.

dancing; spirit dancing; ceremonial

The miniature paddles appear to be sewn to black typewriter ribbon that is sewn to the jacket.

Black trade felt (flannel-like) fitted shirt. Deep opening down the front closed with three buttons. Cuffs, hemline, shoulder blades and breast area heavily beaded with floral designs in blue, white, yellow, grey and green. Rows of unpainted carved miniature paddles sewn across each sleeve, lower front and back. The beaded panels and lower edge are bordered with a thin strip of light cloth and off white beads.