Bear Societies honored the lordly spirit, bravery and fighting strength of the bear. Acceptance into a bear society was most prestigious; members were to be feared and respected. By putting the bear on his shield, the warrior received the bear's attributes in battle. This design shows the bear at the entrance of a cave protecting his family from the attack of its enemy. In the middle of his shield, a warrior placed his personal medicine bundle. This one contains buffalo hair, sage, sweetgrass and a buffalo tooth. A piece of deer antler and glass trade bead hang from the bundle. The trade cloth and imitation eagle feathers representing coups, or battle honors, were arranged to permit the warrior to fire his bow effectively without losing the shield's protective power.

The earth pigments used on this piece are very strong medicine colors. Red - often associated with bear medicine - is the color of long life and the good road to walk in life. Black represents intense spiritual devotion and also signified victory. White is the color of the spirit world, which both calls to the influence of ancestors and looks forward to one’s own time to honorably cross over to a new life after this one.

Shield is approximately 21'' by 36''.  

 Made by Native and non-Native Americans.

This item cannot be shipped outside the USA.