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In the News

Closer Inspection: ‘Horse Nation’ at the National Museum of the American Indian

The exhibit “A Song for the Horse Nation,” at the museum through Jan. 7, showcases tangible evidence of the animal’s influence on native society. Here, curator Emil Her Many Horses highlights pieces from the exhibit. — Kris Coronado

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Porcupine quills decorate this mid-1800s Cheyenne horse mask. To make the quills more pliable, the maker would soak them “in their mouths and bite them to flatten them,” says Emil Her Many Horses, a curator at the museum ( Fourth Street and Independence Avenue SW, 202-633-1000, nmai.si.edu). Then the quills are flattened and sewn onto the hide.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

A model demonstrates how a Crow parade horse would be dressed. The tradition continues today. “The Crow tribe in Montana have really done an excellent job in maintaining their horse gear,” Her Many Horses says.

A model demonstrates how a Crow parade horse would be dressed. The tradition continues today. “The Crow tribe in Montana have really done an excellent job in maintaining their horse gear,” Her Many Horses says.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

As part of the exhibit, Her Many Horses decorated this miniature tepee cover depicting his great-great grandmother Tasunka Ota Win (Many Horses Woman). In a census, her name was translated incorrectly, hence Emil’s last name.

As part of the exhibit, Her Many Horses decorated this miniature tepee cover depicting his great-great grandmother Tasunka Ota Win (Many Horses Woman). In a census, her name was translated incorrectly, hence Emil’s last name.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

“The horse has always been tied to the West and Native peoples. We really wanted to show the impact it had — through the arts, hunting, travel, to wealth and status,” says Her Many Horses, 57, who is of Lakota descent. “There are spiritual aspects of it. We wanted to show the horse became as important as the buffalo.”

“The horse has always been tied to the West and Native peoples. We really wanted to show the impact it had — through the arts, hunting, travel, to wealth and status,” says Her Many Horses, 57, who is of Lakota descent. “There are spiritual aspects of it. We wanted to show the horse became as important as the buffalo.”

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

This 1880 hat belonged to Oglala Lakota chief Mila Hanska Tashunke Icu, whose English name, American Horse, honors the fact that he once took a U.S. cavalry officer’s horse in battle.

This 1880 hat belonged to Oglala Lakota chief Mila Hanska Tashunke Icu, whose English name, American Horse, honors the fact that he once took a U.S. cavalry officer’s horse in battle.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Used in war dances to reenact war deeds, dance sticks honor horses. The stick on the right, created by No Two Horns of the Hunkpapa Lakota in 1890, commemorates his blue roan killed at Little Big Horn in 1876. Triangles indicate the horse was wounded six times.

Used in war dances to reenact war deeds, dance sticks honor horses. The stick on the right, created by No Two Horns of the Hunkpapa Lakota in 1890, commemorates his blue roan killed at Little Big Horn in 1876. Triangles indicate the horse was wounded six times.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

A 16-foot-high Lakota tepee with a 38-foot circumference dates to 1890-1910 and was used by the North and South Dakota tribe. Artwork on the tepee showed the “war record of the warrior within,” Her Many Horses says.

A 16-foot-high Lakota tepee with a 38-foot circumference dates to 1890-1910 and was used by the North and South Dakota tribe. Artwork on the tepee showed the “war record of the warrior within,” Her Many Horses says.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Scenes on the tepee include raiding enemy horses — a great accomplishment, Her Many Horses says — as well as battles with this tribe’s enemy, the Crow. In the artwork, the Lakotas’ hair is tied back, while the Crow are shown with pompadour-style hair.

Scenes on the tepee include raiding enemy horses — a great accomplishment, Her Many Horses says — as well as battles with this tribe’s enemy, the Crow. In the artwork, the Lakotas’ hair is tied back, while the Crow are shown with pompadour-style hair.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

This circa 1870 saddle, owned by a Wyoming Shoshone woman, evolved from Spanish-style saddles with pommels, Her Many Horses says. trade, and the Native people adapted it to their needs with native materials,” he says.

This circa 1870 saddle, owned by a Wyoming Shoshone woman, evolved from Spanish-style saddles with pommels, Her Many Horses says. trade, and the Native people adapted it to their needs with native materials,” he says.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

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