This is really your lucky day! An "old Indian" allowed us to photograph these sacred items, used in the Navajo Horse ceremony. In the early 1900s, a Navajo singer (medicine man) began assembling these items as the Horse directed him. He apprenticed his nephews to become singers and, after inheriting the collection, they added to it. Included are eagle feathers, cottonwood (which is sacred) with deer hide around it, a bear paw, and a medicine bag.
Native Americans formed a large part of the Old West culture. As their culture collided with that of the white settlers, both cultures adopted new ideas from the other. Unfortunately, the Native Americans were often forced to adopt more of the white's "civilization" than they wanted to.
Here are some more American Indian artifacts for you to enjoy: