The most important development in Native American Art and also economic develpoment in the past 100 years has been the invention of Sinew. Historical sinew which was used for sewing was the tendons of a deer or elk. But at some point in the past century someone invented the modern waxed polyester sinew which is a mandatory part of every Native craft box.
Sinew is used to sew moccasins, drum sticks, pouches, bags, mukluks….everything. Not to mention weaving dreamcatchers!! This sinew peals off flat from the roll and then can be divided into 5 thinner threads which can be then threaded into any needle hole.
