War shirts are not just interesting and attractive pieces of outerwear, but rather a sign of achievement and status.

Before earning the right to wear a war shirt, a man had to prove himself as an outstanding warrior and member of the tribe. Only those men who showed wisdom and strength, repeatedly unprecedented bravery, were known for their selfless character, concern for others and the welfare of the tribe were honoured with the right to wear this kind of shirt.

For example, the Sioux men, who were given such a right were called “the shirt wearers “. If such a the person showed weakness, cowardice or manifested some character flaw, he could be deprived of the right.

A man wearing his war shirt did not simply put on a piece of clothing, but also the insignia of a certain respect, showing his roll and social status in the tribe. Period photographs of delegations to the white man’s world (mostly in Washington) show the chiefs, who are almost always dressed in war shirts and this indicates their social status within their tribe.

Making a war shirt is considered a sacred activity. Such a shirt is considered to be endowed with spiritual power and strength. This power, or energy, is passed onto the shirt during the process of creating it. It is far more than a token of a social status associated with certain characteristics of the wearer. There is a power passed onto the person who owns and wears the shirt.