Primarily of the plains tribes, Native American beadwork is a highly sought after American Indian art form.  Used mainly for decoration, whether it is a pair of moccasins, a shirt, an umbilical fetish, or even a bag, beadwork is at once recognizable and sought after.

The bead was important part of trade.  In fact, beads were a form of trade.  Traders would bring glass, shell, or pottery beads from France, Spain, or elsewhere and trade with Native Americans for services or products.