WOLF ROBE - Native American legend refers to animals as our teachers. It was wise for man to pay attention and learn from them. These spirits can still talk to us if we would but learn how to listen. The Wolf was a powerful teacher, admired by early Native Americans for its intelligence, strength, skills, and endurance. Wolves taught them to be successful hunters through the value of cooperation, quiet movement, and careful observation. Capable of great tenderness, the Wolf taught fidelity to family. And it represented wisdom because the Wolf only hunted what it needed to survive, leaving nature's balance intact.
     "In ancient times, the Wolf was our companion," says Brandenburg, who has spent many years studying and photographing the Wolf. "It certainly was our teacher, reminding us that two species sharing similar ecological niches might also share similar fates."
     100% Virgin wool trimmed with whip-stitched edges. Dry cleaning recommended.

THUNDER MOON ROBE - In the beautiful northern land of the Great Lakes, August is called the Thunder Moon, symbolized by the Thunderbird a powerful mythic spirit. While generally associated with success in war, it could grant great blessings on mankind as a spirit helper.
     Flapping its gigantic wings to make thunder and opening and closing its enormous eyes to create lightning, the Thunderbird carried a lake of water on its back that caused the sweeping rains necessary to keep the earth green and abundant.
     100% Virgin wool trimmed with whip-stitched edges. Dry cleaning recommended.

4 DIRECTIONS ROBE - In Woodlands Indian culture, the Medicine Wheel teaches many things about balance. It teaches about the four aspects of our nature: mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical. Human beings can acquire new gifts. The timid may become courageous, the weak strong, and the insensitive may learn to care for the feelings of others through true learning in all four of these dimensions. Only then will a person become balanced and whole.
     The four dimensions of true learning are reflected in the Four Directions, or winds. The North wind is the color white and brings wisdom. The South wind is the color green and brings energy and a strong heart. The West wind is the color black and brings the strength and power of the Thundergods. The East wind is the color gold and brings man the vision of morning eagles soaring over the woodlands.
     100% Virgin wool trimmed with whip-stitched edges. Dry cleaning recommended.

TURTLE ROBE - The Indians of the woodlands believed dream symbols were powerful medicine. If an animal came to them in a dream, it became their guardian spirit.
     The Indians then carried a symbol or token of that animal with them all their lives and called upon its spirit for protection, guidance, or assistance whenever necessary.
     The turtle is one of the longest-lived creatures on earth. In many cultures, it represents health and longevity. To the woodlands Indians, the turtle which carries its home on its back played an important role in women's medicine.
     100% Virgin wool trimmed with whip-stitched edges. Dry cleaning is recommended.

RUNNING HORSES ROBE - To the Indians of the Plains, the horse was a symbol of power, wealth, prestige, and courage. A man's identity revolved around the number of horses he captured and possessed. These were recorded on buffalo skins with horseshoe-like symbols.
     Believed to be an emissary of the Great Spirit, the horse had supernatural powers not granted to humans. Because it was the swiftest animal on the plains, the horse was said to carry the lightning on it back and was an invaluable aid in buffalo hunting and in war.
     100% Virgin wool trimmed with whip-stitched edges. Dry cleaning recommended.

TATANKA ROBE - In times when the survival of a tribe was dependent on hunting, the Buffalo roamed much of North America in great herds. Not only did it supply meat for food, but its hide provided material for the tipis in which people lived and the clothes they wore. The bones of the Buffalo were made into the implements the people used. Thus the Buffalo gave totally of itself so that the people could be renewed completely and for this reason, it was revered about all animals.
     Year-around weight. 100% Virgin wool trimmed with whip-stitched edges. Dry cleaning is recommended.

TIPI ROBE - An old story tells that, one day, a long time ago, a Blackfoot sat in the shade of a cottonwood tree. From the ground he picked up one of the tree's leaves, twisted it between his fingers, and behold, the idea for a new dwelling, the tipi, was born.
     Made of buffalo hides with poles that reached up to the spirit world, the tipi's circular form and the circle of the camp represented the sacred circle of life. Circles painted on the outside represented fallen stars. Maltese crosses represented the morning star and other abstract designs representing sky, earth, water, and animals were sacred decorations derived from spiritual visions of the dwelling's owner.
     100% Virgin wool trimmed with whip-stitched edges. Dry cleaning recommended.

FLOWER MOON ROBE - The Ojibwa people of the northern woodlands traditionally measured the months in moons. March was the Crow Moon; April, the Grass Moon; and May was often called the Flower Moon. The long white winter was over. Flowers bloomed again and beautiful soft colors returned to the forests. Ojibwa women were inspired by this beauty, using many floral motifs in their quill and beadwork.
     The woodland Indians believed they were a part of Nature and that all natural phenomena revealed lessons from the Creator. The arrival of the Flower Moon reminds us of our connection to the unending cycles of nature. No matter how long or cold the winter, the flowers always return bringing rebirth, renewal, and hope.
     100% Virgin wool trimmed with whip-stitched edges. Dry cleaning recommended.

FALLING LEAF MOON ROBE - In the great forest lands of the Ojibwa, years were measured in Winters, days in Sleeps, and the months in Moons. The Indian calendar begins with January, the Snow Moon, then comes the Hungry Moon, followed by the Crow Moon that signals the beginning of spring. Next comes the Grass Moon, the Planting Moon, and the Rose Moon. Then, summer brings July, the Heat Moon, followed by August, the Thunder Moon. September is the Moon of Wild Rice, November the Beaver Moon, and December the Long Night Moon. October, the Falling Leaf Moon, signals autumn and the return of cool weather a wonderful time for a warm wool blanket.
     100% Virgin wool trimmed with whip-stitched edges. Dry cleaning recommended.

SWALLOWTAIL ROBE - A medicine man went out in the early dawn. The sky was blue, the sun shone brightly. Birds of all kinds sang out their joy as the medicine man stood listening. Suddenly he heard a song that rose higher and clearer than all the rest. He moved closer to the sound so that he might see what manner of bird could send such happy notes farther than all the others. As he came near he beheld a tiny black bird with open bill. It was the swallow, one of the smallest and least powerful of all birds, that seemed the most glad to pour out in ringing melody to the rising sun its delight in life. The medicine man took this as a teaching for his people. "Everyone can be happy," he thought. "Even the most insignificant among us can have his song of thanks."
     100% Virgin wool trimmed with whip-stitched edges. Dry cleaning is recommended.

ELK DREAMERS' ROBE - A long time ago a young warrior fell in love with a beautiful maiden, but he lacked the courage to tell her so. Every day he became more frustrated as he watched the other young men in camp courting her. One night as he slept, two handsome elk appeared in his dream and presented him with a flute which, they explained, possessed magical powers of love. The next day, the young man played the flute in camp. Having never heard such beautiful sounds before, the young maiden was completely captivated by the young warrior and soon became his.
     In Plains Indian culture, those who dreamed of the elk become members of the Elk Dreamers' Society and were known for their mysterious powers of winning women's hearts.
     100% Virgin wool trimmed with whip-stitched edges. Dry cleaning recommended.

NORTHERN LIGHTS ROBE - To the Indians who inhabited the northern woodlands all natural phenomena had a message to impart from the Great Spirit. Appearing in the sky above them was one of the most spectacular and mysterious ~ the aurora borealis, or, Northern Lights. Occurring most frequently around the equinoxes, the lights sometimes appear as shimmering veils that change shape and color from one moment to the next. At other times, rays of light shoot and swirl so wildly one can almost imagine hearing music coming from the sky. It is not surprising that the Woodlands Indians believed the Northern Lights were their Grandfathers dancing to show them there is another place to go.
     100% Virgin wool trimmed with whip-stitched edges. Dry cleaning recommended.

WISDOM ROBE - In the land of the Ojibwe, the eagle feather is a powerful possession. Those who are lucky enough to obtain one are either very wise or very brave. There is a story about a man who spent his whole adult life in search of the wisdom that comes with the eagle feather. Every day he searched and prayed to be given this magical gift, ignoring even his family and closest friends. Then one day he could stand it no more, and he said to the Creator. "I have given up everything in search of my eagle feather and my life is passing me by. I will now stop and spend the rest of my life helping others." All at once a shadow fell over him and he looked up to see an eagle! As he gazed up at the great bird a feather slowly drifted to earth at his feet. His wisdom had finally come.
     100% Virgin wool trimmed with whip-stitched edges. Dry cleaning recommended.