Otter Turban by James Blake

I was commissioned by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish band of Pottawatomi,or better known as the Gun lake band, to make a Otter Fur Turban for one of there tribal chiefs (Junson Bush) This was my first attempt at making a otter fur turban I used the research of Norman Feder and Allison Skinner as a jumping off point to produce this turban. I was given free range on what I produced. This is not a copy of any one specific example but takes design elements from various examples.I was told it is very "Gete Skono" meaning old school. The Gun Lake Band in correlation with the Jijak Foundation and the Great Lakes Lifeways Institute puts together a amazing event "The Great Lakes Traditional Arts Gathering" 

I have had the pleasure of being a instructor among a slew of other talented individuals.

Copy and photos supplied by James Blake here.