Lawmaker honors her roots with traditional garb

By Bryan Lowry

Eagle Topeka bureau

January 12, 2015 6:15 PM

Ponka-We Victors wraps a blanket around her that belonged to her great-great-grandmother before being sworn in Monday to the Kansas House of Representatives. Victors was also dressed in a traditional American Indian garb. (Jan. 12, 2015) Bo Rader The Wichita Eagle

On the first day of the 2015 legislative session, Rep. Ponka-we Victors, D-Wichita, came dressed in traditional American Indian garb.

“We’re supposed to wear our best, and this is my best,” said Victors, a member of the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma, showing off the eagle feather in her hair and traditional handmade bead ware.

Victors noted that her dress, which she wore when she was inducted into the tribe at age 16, is red, white and blue.

She also brought along her great-great-grandmother’s blanket.

“I wore this today so I could have kind of like a piece of them with me,” Victors said.

This story was originally published January 12, 2015 at 6:15 PM with the headline "Lawmaker honors her roots with traditional garb."

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