Hawk Feathers - portrait of North Plains Indian warrior by Howard Terpning

 

Hawk Feathers is not this Northern Plains Indian’s name, but rather, the adornment he wears in his hair. The hunting ability of the hawk was highly respected and its feathers were considered good medicine. Nearly every North American tribe used hawk feathers as a badge of honor and they were worn a good part of the time. This tribal member is also shown wearing his buffalo robe. Unlike Europeans, the plains people fashioned their robes with the fur on the inside and the smooth side of the hide facing out.

 

SmallWorks giclee canvas released April 2011.