needing some basic Choctaw Beading Paterns,HELP Please* & Thank you

[gola wahya agehya]

Osiyo!
my name is gola wahyaagehya..(kitty for short)of the eastern keetoowah(tsalagi & desended from the Wolf clanas my grandmother there in the 1700's in the Carolinas)we enuff bout me,,
iam seeking someone with knowledge of basic CHOTAW bead patterns..
i am wanting to make a gift for an Elder of the Choctaw,, but have been unsucessful in locating

could someone Please assist me in this endeavour,,any thing would be very most appreciated,,

[nabeader]

Choctaw patterns are pretty simple as they historically used only one color of bead chalk white on red or blue wool. What do have in mind of making? Historically Choctaw people are famous for their sashes.
nabeader

[horsesnet]

Not sure - I am new to finding my Choctaw heritage, and I think it's one of those things that I will know it if I see it. So far I've only seen pics of tear dresses - and that's just too frilly. Before contact would be nice, but I'll have to "see" it to know if it's what I'm being called to do. I can't find any pictures of women with beadwork except the fishnet type of collar - nothing on buckskin.

Elle

[legalstraight]

Check out Martha Berry's website- just run the google.
She is Cherokee, but her book and the museum display she has put together deal with pre-removal beadwork of all the southeastern tribes.
It is at least a starting place.

[legalstraight]

Not sure - I am new to finding my Choctaw heritage, and I think it's one of those things that I will know it if I see it. So far I've only seen pics of tear dresses - and that's just too frilly. Before contact would be nice, but I'll have to "see" it to know if it's what I'm being called to do. I can't find any pictures of women with beadwork except the fishnet type of collar - nothing on buckskin.

Elle

I don't know if there are any examples of pre-contact women's clothing.
As I understand once cloth was introduced most of the southeastern tribes largely abandoned hides for shirts, dresses, etc....
I know there are some EBCI ladies that wear an 'old style' dress, made from cloth, but it is far less frilly than the tear dresses... there are some nice pictures in the Women's forum on here.