Dave's Knot Here! - Native American

An eclectic mix of things that interest Dave.

Family tradition says I’m a tiny fraction Cherokee. Regardless, I’ve long had an interest in all things Native American. You’ll find some of my handy work and links to other helpful sites here.

My interest in Native American topics started when I was in Cub Scouts. As I grew older, my interests continued and expanded in Boy Scouts when I made my first costume or regalia (with some of my mom’s help on the sewing machine). It was the stereotypical “plains Indian” outfit. I certainly wouldn’t call it “museum quality”, but I am surprised at the quality of workmanship I had as a teenager when I look at the war bonnet I made, complete with hand-beaded rosettes and headband. My mother has also commented about how patient I was assembling the many feathers it took to make the bonnet and a coup stick.

Although I still have all that I made back then, after some thirty years, I have replaced all of it with regalia more typical of a late 1700s Cherokee. I’ve tried to use materials that are true to the time period, rather than the cloth that looks like leather I used as a youth. As I’ve made my regalia, I’ve imagined myself being one of the older males in the community that has started the transition towards wearing “European” clothing, but is not quite ready to give up all of his traditional clothing. Thus, I have hand-sewn (no sewing machine!) a cotton shirt, and have hand-made a pair of leather leggings and moccasins. Add to that a finger-woven belt and legging garters I made and various other items, and my regalia starts to become complete.

I would love to be able to trace my Native American lineage and confirm the family tradition of Cherokee roots. Unfortunately, by the time I became interested in doing so a few years ago, virtually all prior knowledge had gone to the grave. As it apparently was in many families a number of generations ago, some of my ancestors were not proud to be of Native American decent, and thus that part of the family history was suppressed and largely forgotten. At this point, I doubt that I will ever be able to definitively prove my Cherokee, let alone Native American heritage. If in fact I am Cherokee, my clan membership has been lost to history.

I read somewhere once that to be Native American is as much an attitude as it is “blood”, so maybe there’s still hope. I certainly feel I have the attitude.

Take a look at the photos below and the links to the right. Let me know what you think. If you have something that you think I’d find helpful, please drop me a note at the e-address below.

I know this doesn’t fit with my Cherokee heritage, but I’ve always had a fascination with tipis. I took this picture early one morning at a Boy Scout Order of the Arrow event.

Hey! They were here first! That’s why I use “Native”.

Native American

Last changed on 11/27/05.

Patient One and Mother Owl at the Fall 2004 Golden Eagle District Camporee. We demonstrated Native American cooking and games.

Medicine Bag - Made by Dave Largent for Vigil Karen Goth - September 2005

Medicine Bag - I made this for a friend when she attained Vigil Honor - September 2005.

Medicine Bag - Made by Dave Largent for Jaccos Towne Lodge Chief - January 2005

Medicine Bag - I made this for the Jaccos Towne Lodge Chief - January 2005.

Hey! They were here first! That’s why I use “Native”.

Native American-related Links