Mens Choker Tutorial
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What is the meaning behind Native American Chokers?
The Native American bone choker served not only to protect a warrior physically but spiritually as well. Specifically, the choker was thought to protect the voice and provide great speaking abilities to the wearer. The bone choker would guide the warrior to speak the truth directly from the heart.
The spirit of the animal that made the choker was believed to be invoked when worn. In fact, some Native Americans had vision dreams about specific animals and asked the tribe’s Medicine Man to make the necklace for them. Bone chokers were usually made by the Medicine Man so that they could use their spiritual power to infuse the piece with protection and powers—giving it special and personal meaning to the individual wearer. The number of strands used to make it was sometimes believed to hold specific meaning too.
Lastly, the bone choker was considered a way to honor life and respect the sacrifice of the animal whose remains were used to create it. Native American culture is very in tune with nature and believes every one of its elements has its own spirit that should be held sacred. For this reason, every available functional part of an animal is used after death.
Many of the Native American chokers available today are not made from bone—
THIS CHOKER WAS WORN BY OUR FAMILY (FOR CEREMONIES) AND IS ABSOLUTELY BONE
Dear
Unlimited Originals:
As you are offering a “Tribal
Ceremonial Native Cherokee Indian Tanka Jaw Bone Beads Teeth Hawk
Feather” for sale through your Ebay store “UnlimitedOriginals”
the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, a federal agency under the U.S.
Department of Interior, is providing you with information on the
Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA), available at www.doi.gov/iacb/act.
Under the IACA, it is illegal to offer or display for sale,
or sell, any art or craft product in a manner that falsely suggests
it is Indian produced, an Indian product, or the product of a
particular Indian Tribe. According to the implementing regulations,
unqualified use of the terms “American Indian,” “Indian,”
“Native American,” “Alaska Native,” or the names of
particular Indian Tribes such as “Cherokee” in connection with
the sale or display for sale of an art or craft product will be
interpreted to mean that the maker is a member of a federally or
officially State recognized Indian Tribe, a member of the Tribe
named, or is certified by an Indian Tribe of their direct lineal
descent as a non-member Indian artisan, 25 C.F.R.§309.24.
This
letter is not a substitute for legal advice and should not be taken
as legal advice.
Sincerely,
Ken Van Wey
Program Analyst
Indian Arts and Crafts Board
U.S.
Department of the Interior
- I agree with the policy, Ken. However, your contempt prior to investigation is not productive.
To be clear, my mother was of the
Comanche Tribe. Her Shaman Harley Swiftdeer. She was well traveled and was gifted artifacts
of many cultures, including, of course, those of our brethren.
Kindly address the
situation directly, not a pre-written email without first being aware
of the facts. If you, or anyone, would like to speak with me
in person, I'd be happy to accommodate. Meet a new friend.
Be well.
Gabriel