Among societies, the containers to hold sacred objects changed as a person advanced within the group. For most societies, the otter was reserved for the highest rank. Inside this otter bag, sacred objects such as a peace pipe and tobacco might be stored.

Early tribes kept the animal hides intact believing that removing part of an animal caused some power to be lost. This otter has the full paws, tail and head. The skull is still intact. Quillwork covers the paws, tail and umbilical area.

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One of the most ornate and intricate artifacts collected by Lewis and Clark was the otter medicine bag. The pattern of the tail involves multiple quills from opposite sides that interweave. The original tail cover piece had colors which changed hues due to sunlight. The present yellow had been red, the white had been yellow and the maroon formerly blue.

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04/29/2009