The design of the Indiana Native American Trust License Plate was created by Scott Shoemaker, a member of the Miami Tribe of Indiana.

The image on the left is a ribbon work pattern that was created by woodlands Native Americans using satin ribbons obtained through trade in respect to the fur industry. This particular design and color usage represents the Miami peoples, the only Native American tribe to claim Indiana as their ancestral homeland. The design on the right is of a turtle. The turtle represents Mother Earth, while the colors seen on its back represent the four sacred directions. The two images seen together may be interpreted as "the land of the people."