1906. godine američkom fotografu i etnologu Edvardu Kurtisu (Edward S. Curtis) ponuđeno je 75.000 dolara kako bi dokumentovao život sjevernoameričkih Indijanaca, doduše, u vrijeme kada su američki starosjedioci već bili otjerani sa svoje zemlje. Kurtisove fotografije donose romantičnu verziju priče o narodu koji je vladao ovom zemljom i stoje nasuprot slici o divljim plemenima. Za više od tri decenije rada na ovom projektu, Kurtis je putovao od Velikih ravnica do planinskog zapada, od meksičke granice do zapadne Kanade, Arktičkog okeana i Aljaske.
Jeste li kao dječaci (a možda i neke djevojčice) ovako zamišljali svijet Indijanaca prije nego što je zbrisan u naletu ,,civilizacije” bijelog čovjeka?
Mizheh and babe
On the Little Big Horn
A burial platform – Apsaroke
Jicarilla fiesta, Jicarilla Apaches, most on horse back, moving toward encampment.
Dakota man, wearing war bonnet, sitting on horseback, his left hand outstreched toward tipi in background, others on horseback.
The wedding party – Qagyuhl
Brule Sioux Indians, many wearing war bonnets, on horseback.
Apsaroke woman on horseback, packhorse beside her.
Kalispel camp on a riverbank with tipis and frame houses, three canoes in water in foreground.
Small band of Atsina men on horseback, some carrying staffs with feathers, one wearing a war bonnet.
Atsina camp scene.
Atsina crazy dance, Indians shooting arrows toward sky.
Four Atsina Indians on horseback overlooking tepees in valley beyond.
The chief – Klamath
Entering the Bad Lands. Three Sioux Indians on horseback
Oglala man (Red Hawk) on horse drinking at oasis.
Piegan encampment
Crow men on horseback apparently involved in an exchange.
The wokas season – Klamath