12/01/2025
In this photo, we see a young Native American woman standing proudly with her horse. For Native peoples, the horse was never just an animal—it was family, a spiritual companion, and a symbol of freedom.
When horses were introduced to the Americas in the 1600s, tribes like the Lakota, Cheyenne, Nez Perce, and Comanche quickly became skilled riders. Horses transformed Native life—they were used for hunting, traveling, and even in battle. A warrior’s strength and a family’s honor were often measured by the horses they cared for.
Women played a vital role in preserving tradition. The dress worn in the photo—made from deer hide, decorated with beads and colorful patterns—was more than clothing. Each design carried stories of ancestry, spirituality, and identity. The horse’s adornments, too, symbolized respect, pride, and a deep spiritual bond.
