Native American Beadwork Patterns
Barbara Houdeshell was born at the Indian Free Clinic in Poplar, Montana. She is an enrolled Assiniboine of the Red Bottom clan on the Fort Peck Reservation and her Indian name is Maka Nah*i WeeYa. She and her husband live in the mountains of Idaho with their two of their four children. They are both traditional dancers and travel the Powwow circuit together.Barbara grew up with white adoptive parents and did not find out she was adopted until she was twenty seven. Growing up, Barbara believed she was Native American in her heart and she did crafts, beadwork and always wore moccasins. Once she discovered her real heritage and family, she became very involved in her culture.She is well known for her traditional beadwork and the regalia she makes. Her outfits display close attention to detail and what is correct according to the traditions of her people. in 1993 she designed 8 Simplicity patterns for Native American traditional dress that are still published. Her husband does brain tanning and also makes all sorts of regalia for others.