Megan Red Shirt Shaw: Think before you put on that headdress

I am Sioux and proud of it. My tribe was believed to be one of the first Native American groups to wear headdresses – also referred to as war bonnets.

In Lakota society, there was an order. Only warriors of great renown were allowed to wear a bonnet so embellished. When a man was given one, they did not look like the one you are wearing — often those feathers were added as symbols of bravery.

For every heroic act that came to pass, another feather was added. If you wore one, it was a symbol that you had done something to benefit the tribe – typically as a warrior. This idea continues to live on in native communities today – while not given for the purpose of war, medicine men and leaders in the community are given them for what they have contributed to the community. This custom, in fact, predates the creation of the country you live in.

The editors and style gurus of Elle (and every person I see wearing a headdress without understanding or compassion – I’m looking at you, Christina Fallin) may not recognize that the wearing of eagle plumes was an honour. But it was, and it is.