Today guests on the Sea Bird visited the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute. While photography in the center is not normally permitted, we obtained permission from Malissa Minthorn, Archives Manager, to take the image shown here. These intricate decorations, truly pieces of art, adorned the horse as well as the rider. Horses reached the Plateau people in 1730 by the same route as the ornaments for decorations did, through trade. The vibrant fabrics, colorful beads, shells, thimbles, bells, coins and ribbon all were obtained through trade. Previously, items such as elks teeth, porcupine quills, shells and pigments from the earth would have decorated the buckskin finery.
When the Corps of Discovery was at Fort Clatsop, they were nearly out of trade goods. However, it was soon discovered that the local Indians would trade goods for the brass buttons from the men's uniforms. Soon afterwards, all uniforms became buttonless, and at the same time someone else's finery gained just a little more sparkle and shine.
