Vintage Onondaga First Nation "Chief Clear Sky" Beaded Bag

Description

O
nondaga First Nation Native American Indian Beaded Bag - Chief Clear Sky
This unique beaded bag honors the heroism of a great chief, Chief Clear Sky. He was one of four leaders of the Six Nations' Reservation who accompanied a group of tribesmen to Scotland and joined their forces in battle as volunteers in WWI. This beaded bag most likely has origins in Canada near or around Ontario. It was made by an Iroquois Native American to commemorate Chief Clear Sky. The bag is stiff and the material the beads are sown on to a rich olive green velvet and the handle is beaded with a light olive green beaded pattern. The bag's design is different on each side and appears to be in very good condition. I do not see any beads missing. The colors of the beads are vibrant and as they appear in the pictures. The purse/bag measures 6 inches by 6 inches at it's widest edges without the beaded strands below. The length of the bag with the beaded strands is 8.5 inches. This bag came from part of an extensive Private Collection that belonged to a discerning collector who traveled the country over the last 50 years adding what interested her to her collection. Below is a more detailed history of Chief Clear Sky. Of the many visitors that came to, or passed through the city of Edinburgh in the war years of 1914-1918, one particular ethnic and cultural group stood out. They were 150 men from the indigenous Six Nations Reservation, South Ontario, Canada. At the outbreak of the war, the men volunteered to join the Canadian Expeditionary Force. On 7 December 1916, one hundred and sixty five First Nations’ soldiers arrived in Scotland who were led by Chief Clear Sky and three other Chiefs of the Six Nations' Reservation. The men were part of a battalion from the Canadian Expeditionary Force temporarily stationed in the South of England before mobilizing for the Western Front. The men volunteered for war service in 1915, and most of them lived in South Ontario on the Six Nations’ Reservation. "...four Indian Chiefs, head feathers streaming in the east wind, their bead covered garments of yellow, red and blue withstanding the rain laden blast, looked round on the Scottish capital and its environs." This group of men were part of the 4,000 native volunteers who joined the allied forces during World War 1. In a statement issued from the Canadian Department of Veterans’ Affairs, it was claimed that 'native men served with great distinction, many of them receiving military awards for bravery in the field'. According to Mike Mountain Horse, a veteran of the Western Front: "The War proved that the fighting spirit of my tribe was not squelched through reservation life. When duty called, we were there, and when we were called forth to fight for the cause of civilization, our people showed all the bravery of our old warriors." Information found on http://www.scotlandswar.co.uk/ Condition is "Used". Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.