[Wakalapi]

My mother is Lakota from SD living in western Washington. She is in the "golden age" working on an outfit to dance Women's Tradish and I have a question about women's headgear. I've seen a few of the elders wearing what looks kind of like a beaded "Fez". What is it actually called and what is its tribal origin? I am thinking of acquiring or making one for her as a gift.

[lightningflash]

It's a traditional part of regalia for Plateau and some NW coastal tribes - more specifically, Nez Perce, Yakama, Colville, Umatilla, Warm Springs, etc. They are normally called a basket cap, because the old-style ones are made out of the same materials as the old baskets or corn-husk bags. They are slightly conical with a flat top (like a fez), whereas more southern coastal people wore the bowl-shaped basket hats. They just started beading them in modern (post 1900) times. You still see them alot around here, and they have great "basket cap" specials at powwows in Washington and Oregon.

[Wakalapi]

Pilameyo, Lightning Flash, for the response!

Basket Cap Specials? Are they usually done simply as part of the Womens' Traditional dance contests? I've only been powwow-going for three years now and I haven't noticed any specials for regalia at the ones that I've been to.

[lightningflash]

No, it's not part of the women's traditional contest. It's like any special - you'll only see one if someone has sponsored it in (usually) a family member's honor. It would be like a special contest, only for those women wearing the basket hats.