BellaOnline Forums Travel and Culture Native American Trading Blanket

Cousin It Bag (It already has a name!) is going with me this weekend to SC. The kids will love it. The leather is so soft, it may be brain tanned. I need to look at that closer. The hair on the flap is a huge, bunched, unruly mess. Now that I think about it, it looks a little bit like scalps.

Hummm... Cousin It Bag might be better than a can of pepper spray. Ain't nobody going to mess with a woman with "scalps" on her bag!!

Braid the hair in a bunch of little pigtails with a ribbon bow on the end. That would sure fend off anyone looking to cause problems. <Either that or they would be immobilized with rolling with laughter.>

Introducing the Cousin It Bag! I'm sorry the photo doesn't do the weirdness justice.

The cloth dress next to it I'll be wearing at the Strong Sun Pow-Wow in NC in July. The fabric has thousands of basket prints and patterns. My husband knew it spoke to me and commented "if you leave this booth without that dress you'll kick yourself."

Aw! I like Cousin It. I also love the print on that fabric.

Sorry Beetle, no braids with ribbons and bows. Not the ribbon/bow type of gal. One of the Elders actually asked my husband, "if they stopped making camouflage, would she have anything to wear?"

The menfolk at the Trade Blanket were surprised with some of the items from my boxes. I lucked up one day while "junkin" and found brand new, Army green military accessories. The young men eagerly traded for the knife cases and small ammo pouch. I had no idea what the other item was, larger pouches and straps.

I shared in the surprise when this was identified as a grenade vest! I had described it as an ammo pouch "thingy" (very technical term). With several vets in the circle, this led to a short discussion on whether grenades are ammo or ordinance. It ended with my comment, "Well they all go BANG!" and several vets almost tumbling from their chairs laughing at me.

I got the turkey tail feathers

Finally got my first article as editor trainee submitted, and it might cause a little confusion. I have searched high and low with no clear result. Is it "Trade Blanket" or "Trading Blanket?" I honestly don't know. Perhaps it's one of those slight regional differences in terms.

However, the Blanket Master graciously took a few minutes of his packing time to review the article and make certain my description was accurate. That was a priority.

The article contains some additional information and I hope you enjoy it.

Jane, I loved your article on the Trading Blanket Event.

I have never attended one of these events and it really seems like fun. I like the history and traditions of it.

Oh my Goodness, I forgot the link! Wait just a minute - I haven't gotten to that part of the training yet.

Phyllis, thanks for helping out!

Good write-up. I look forward to my first experience at a Trading Blanket - even if it is only to observe.

If you do have the opportunity to attend a Trading Blanket, and also have a few days beforehand to prepare, go ready to participate.

You never know what will be placed on the blanket for trade, or if something you have might be badly needed. You could end up being part of a Medicine Trade.

Towards the end of this Trade Blanket, I still had one knife case left in my box. The young apprentice was trying to sweeten an offer and his father was nearby. I gave the case to his father and asked him to either add it to the offer, or just give it to his son for a job well done. It was one less thing to bring back home. If it didn't help with the trade, it may have been a nice surprise for the apprentice afterwards.