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19th And 20th Century Native Americans

Created on May 19, 2016 by Kathy Pinna

The history of the Native American peoples is long, diverse, and complex.

When Europeans came to North American shores the lives of Native Americans changed forever. However, with the invention of the camera and photography some of the tribal groups, as well as daily and spiritual events, were documented.

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Photos of the Native American People

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Sia buffalo dancer

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The Sia, or Zia, people are a branch of the Pueblo people. This is a photo taken by famous Native American photographer Edward Curtis.

Lakota men with a NY World pennant

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For a list of the Lakota names, click on the photo - and yes, that is Buffalo Bill Cody in the center. The NY World was a newspaper published from1860 until 1931.

Seminole mother & baby

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1905 Florida

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Siksika man and boy in 1914

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The Siksika are a part of the Blackfoot nation in Canada.

Apache dancers

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1906 Curtis photo

Miniconjou tribe

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This 1890 photo shows the Miniconjou, a part of the Lakota who mainly lived in South Dakota.

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Young - Man - Afraid - of - His - Horses

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We're sure he got over his fear - you had to ride a horse in 1891 - and he's no longer young!

Cheyenne dancers

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Getting ready for a "crazy dance" or a "stomp dance", performed several times during the summer (at night) to insure well being.

Salish Christmas, 1910

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Cayuse woman

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1910 Curtis photo in Oregon.

Corn dance

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The Cochiti of New Mexico performing a Corn dance in 1888.

Major Ridge, 1838

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A Cherokee chief, Major Ridge supported acculturation. He became a wealthy planter and slaveowner.

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Crow dancer, 1905

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Photo again taken by photographer Edward Curtis.

1923 "adoption"

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Yes, it was popular in social circles to be "adopted" by a native american tribe.

Tinpsila Tanka and wife

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Fat Horse of the Sihasapa people

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A Curtis photo of Fat horse - a Plains Native American.

Hopi dancers

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1905 Curtis photo of Hopi preparing for a spiritual dance.

Eagle Bear, 1900

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Yurok woman

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Che-na-wah-Weitch-ah-wah wrote a book in 1916 that preserved the stories of her people.

Cowichan dancer

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Curtis 1913 photo of a masked Cowichan dancer (British Columbia).

Unknown family photo

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This is from the Seitz or Sitz family album. Do you know him or his people?

"Cherokee payments"

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A late 1800's photo of the government giving payments to Cherokee men.

Black Thunder - Sioux

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Bobtailhorse

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A Blackfoot (Siksika) holding a large bird feather.

Strike on his head

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Montana Crow photo by Curtis.

Hopi Antelope dance

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Frederic Remington drawing

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An 1890 drawing of a Oglala Ghost dance - drawn while watching the dance.

Police Chief with Lakota or Sioux

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New Mexico buffalo dancers

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Interesting fact: While some individual Native Americans didn't want their photos taken - for instance, a legend says that Crazy Horse objected - there is no widespread cultural belief that taking a photo was "stealing your soul." Look at all the photos here - even photos of sacred dances!

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