The name of the Native Indian woman in the picture is Hón-je-a-pút-o, Wife of Bear-catcher, 1832, Kansas Kaw tribe. The picture of her raises different points of interest which increase knowledge and understanding of Native Indian tribes:

• What materials have been used to make the clothes?

• What ornaments or decorations are being worn?

• What items or accessories is she holding?

• What image does the picture convey?

The title we have given the picture reflects the name of the tribe, for ease of identification.

Description of the Picture
The artist of this painting, George Catlin, wrote the following to accompany this picture:

“Portrait of a warrior, with his pipe in his hand... Smoking is a luxury so highly valued by the Indians, they have bestowed much pains, and not a little ingenuity, to the construction of their pipes... The bowls of these are generally made of the red steatite, or ‘pipe-stone’ (as it is more familiarly called in this country), and many of them designed and carved with much taste and skill, with figures and groups standing or reclining upon them.”

The Manners, Customs and Conditions of the North American Indians (1832 - 1839)
by George Catlin