Quilting has become a vital expression of identity and cultural survival in many Native American communities. Introduced through colonization—particularly via mission schools and settler influence—quilting was initially used to assimilate Native women into Euro-American domestic norms. But
Native women reclaimed and transformed this art form into something deeply rooted in their own cultural traditions.
One of the most iconic styles adapted by Plains communities is the Star Quilt, also known as the Morning Star or Lone Star. Though the pattern originally came from settler quilting designs, Native women embraced it for its spiritual significance and geometric beauty—linking it to earlier traditions like painted hides and beadwork. The star became a symbol of protection, honor, and continuity.
Quilts began replacing buffalo robes in ceremonies following the near extinction of the buffalo, taking on roles in births, weddings, funerals, healing rituals, and graduations. They also functioned as part of local economies, traded for goods or offered to honor elders, veterans, and spiritual leaders. Many were made with prayer, intention, and community storytelling stitched into every thread.
Today, Native quilters continue to innovate while honoring ancestral practices.
Sharron Greendeer (Ho-Chunk/Sioux) sees quilting as a continuation of ribbon work and
beadwork. Artists like Susan Hudson (Navajo) use quilting to tell stories of trauma ,resistance, and survival, including tributes to children lost to boarding schools and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement.
Quilting circles remain important sites for healing, cultural teaching, and resistance. Many modern quilts reflect issues such as sovereignty, environmental justice, and spiritual renewal.
They appear in homes, ceremonies, museums, and protests—carrying the legacy of Native resilience forward with every stitch.
