Native American Medicine Shields
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Transcript of Native American Medicine Shields
Native American Medicine Shields
Rachel ThomasSpring 2010
Native American “Medicine”
• Like us, the Native Americans thought of medicine as something that could heal a person.
• But to them, this healing power was more magical and spiritual.
• “Medicine” wasn’t a pill or ointment – it was a magical object or belief.
Medicine Shields• A medicine shield was believed to
have magical healing and protective powers – or, “MEDICINE”!
• A medicine shield was believed to have magical healing and protective powers – or, “MEDICINE”!
• They also had physical purposes – like to protect a warrior from arrows and other weapons during battle.
How they were made…
• It took a lot of work to make a medicine shield! To make one, a person had to…
– Hunt for an animal using homemade tools
– Skin the animal then turn the skin into leather (hide)
– Cut down wood, trim it, soak it, and eventually shape it into a hoop
– Stretch the tanned leather hide over the hoop
– Use feathers from birds and homemade beads and dyes to decorate their shields
• All in all, A LOT OF WORK!
Real Medicine Shields