Síh-Chidä, Mandan Man

Síh-Chidä (Yellow Feather) visited the travelers’ quarters at Fort Clark dozens of times during the winter of 1833–34, taking great interest in Maximilian’s research and Bodmer’s painting practice. Using the Swiss artist’s watercolors and pencils, Síh-Chidä drew several ceremonial dancers and self-portraits that he gave to them (now in Joslyn Art Museum). He also painted portraits of Bodmer for himself and asked the Europeans to depict medicine imagery on his own leather shield. After many visits and gift exchanges, Síh-Chidä posed for Bodmer wrapped in a large buffalo robe bisected by a wide strip of patterned blue and white beads. His angled stance emphasizes his elaborate heel trailers made of otter fur lined in red cloth, which indicate his war feats.