American Indian tribes in kilts; tribe tartan?

[Michael Weatherhead]

I remember seeing photos of American Indians dressed in their own native clothing (buckskin, jewelry, etc), and also wearing tartan. I also remember learning that the Cherokee nation has its own recognized tartan. I did an internet search, just now, but details were sketchy. Does anybody know about this? If the Cherokees have their own tartan, do any other tribes? The Cherokee would have had a lot of interaction with the early Scottish settlers, in the Appalachian mtns. So, it would make sense that they would do this. But other tribes must have had dealings with the Scots, as well.

[ctbuchanan]

I just went to the Scottish Tartans Authority web site and they have a whole page on the Cherokee Nation and they show a Cherokee Tartan (classified as corporate for some reason).

http://www.tartansauthority.com/glob...ative-indians/

I have a good friend who is half Lakota Sioux and half Scottish ancestry (Buchanan) and he wears the Buchanan tartan and is Regent for Minnesota. At tribal events he wears traditional Lakota garb.

I think it's very cool that he can do both.

[MacEanruig]

Here is an older thread on the forum that you might find interesting: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...cintosh-14473/

And here: http://s-a-m-s.org/patriot/features/...eamerican.html

[figheadair]

The wearing of tartan by American Indians was probably due to nothing more that the bright and unusal cloth would have been a desirable trading item. Here's another example; Seminole Head-dress c1880.

[Michael Weatherhead]

I checked out the other thread, showing the chief in headdress, and kilt. Wow, how interesting. I knew an old fellow, who lived here (has passed on now). He was a Cherokee, owned native jewelry, clothing, and owned/wore a kilt. I once saw him wear it all together (minus a headdress). How cool, though. I'd like to find a print of the chief. It would look great on my wall, among my Scottish collectables.

[Riverkilt]

Wes Studi (Cherokee) kilted in a cameo in the movie Christmas in the Clouds.

[Riverkilt]

Not a print of the chief but a beautiful print for any wall Robert Griffing's Warriors

http://www.lordnelsons.com/gallery/f...riffing/33.htm

[RectaPete]

On a slight tangent, I remember reading that the eagle feather rank system was partially inspired by the tradition used by some Native American tribes, whereupon only chiefs and distinguished warriors got to wear feathers due to their sacredness and power. I don't know whether that's true, as the Scots and American Indians both wore eagle feathers independently long before they came into contact.

Returning to the topic, there are a very high proportion of Indians (even full-blooded ones) with Scottish ancestry or names. I believe there is a kinship between the two peoples, both having very similar customs which, as mentioned above, developed independently of each other. I may not have a drop of Native American blood, but I consider them my kin.

[Riverkilt]

Some books on the subject

White People, Indians, and Highlanders by Colin G. Calloway

Scottish Highlanders and Indian Peoples, Thirty Generations of an American Family by James Hunter

Sons of the Mountains Volumes I & II by Ian Macpherson McCulloch

[Benning Boy]

If Grandma ever told you you have high cheek bones because great, great grandma was Cheerokee, you're entitled to wear the Cherokee tartan.

I just went to the Scottish Tartans Authority web site and they have a whole page on the Cherokee Nation and they show a Cherokee Tartan (classified as corporate for some reason).

http://www.tartansauthority.com/glob...ative-indians/