ca. 1914. Coming for the Bride - Qagyuhl "Wedding Party - Kwakiutl" Photograph by Edward S. Curtis. Scanned from Asahel Curtis, hand tinted lantern slide. Original photo appears in The North American Indian, v.10 Plate # 337. The Kwakiutl is a broad term used to describe the native tribes on the coast of British Columbia; the native word Qagyuhl describes the sub tribe resident at Fort Rupert. Marriage among the poor took place without ceremony, but with people of rank betrothal and marriage was ruled by customs and traditions. On the morning of the wedding day, a war canoe would be sent to the home of the bride. In the forward portion is a wooden effigy of a thunderbird. Behind the man in the bow is seated the human effigy. He wears a headdress representing the creature and a robe of eagle tail feathers and he imitates the bird by gesture and cry. They halt in front of the bride's home to sing, dance and make speeches. Hoping to raise funds for the publishing of his 40 volume North American Indian opus, Edward Curtis made a full length motion picture of the Kwakiutl way of life, "In the Land of the Headhunters." Work on the film ended in 1914 and it was considered a masterpiece. However, it was a financial disaster, only ever shown in New York City's Casino Theater and in Seattle. It gathered dust until 1924, when he sold the uncut master print and negatives to the American Museum of Natural History for $1500 and the resignation of all rights. It was later restored in 1972 and released as "In the Land of the War Canoes."

Indians of North America--Kwakiutl; Indians of North America--Canoes; Indians of North America--Rites & ceremonies;

Image title: Sepulture in a post at Yan. The North American Indian, v. 11, p.128.

Indians of North America--Haida--1910-1920; Death and burial--Indians of North America;

Image title: Costume of a woman Shaman - Clayoquot. The North American Indian, v. 11, p. 54.

Indians of North America--Nootka--1910-1920; Women--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

Image title: Stlĭná of Massett - Haida. The North American Indian, v. 11, p. 148.

Indians of North America--Haida--1910-1920; Men--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

Image title: Red Owl - Flathead

Indians of North America--Salishan--1910-1920; Men--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

Image title: Flathead female type. The North American Indian, V. 7, p. 62.

Indians of North America--Salishan--1910-1920; Women--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

Image title: Flathead mother. The North American Indian, v. 7, p. 70.

Indians of North America--Salishan--1910-1920; Women--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

Image title: With her proudly decked horse - Cayuse. The North American Indian, v. 8, p. 60.

Indians of North America--Nez Percé--1910-1920; Women--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

Image title: Youth in holiday costume - Umatilla. The North American Indian, v. 8, p.80.

Indians of North America--Umaitlla--1910-1920; Men--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits; Indians of North America--Clothing and dress;

ca. 1910. Chinook Female Profile - "Skokomish Female - type" Photo by Edward S. Curtis. Scanned from Asahel Curtis lantern slide. Original photograph appears in The North American Indian, v.8 between pp. 86-87. The permanent villages of the Chinook tribes, constructed of imposing cedar board houses, once extended from the banks of the Columbia River and the rushing waters of the Dalles all the way to the sea. They occupied a land of abundant food and lived mostly on salmon. The trading post at Astoria was established in 1811 and Fort Vancouver in 1825. The fur traders brought the twin scourges of disease and alcohol. Whole villages of Chinook were decimated.

Indians of North America--Chinook--1910-1920; Women--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

Image title: Coathair blanket - Cowichan. The North American Indian, v. 9, p. 72.

Indians of North America--Salishan--1910-1920; Weaving--Indians of North America;

Image title: Twin child healer. The North American Indian, v. 10, p. 94.

Indians of North America--Kwakiutl--1910-1920; Healers--Indians of North America;

Image title: Hamasilahl - Qagyuhl. The North American Indian, v. 10, p.228.

Indians of North America--Kwakiutl--1910-1920; Clothing and dress--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

Image title: Fastening the Harpoon Point. The North American Indian, v.11, pg. 30.

Indians of North America--Nootka--1910-1920; Men--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

Image title: Suqitlaa. The North American Indian, v.11, p. 46.

Indians of North America--Nootka--1910-1920; Men--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

Image title: Quiet Waters. The North American Indian, v. 11, p. 84.

Indians of North America--Nootka--1910-1920; Women--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

ca. 1912. Portrait of Bahlkabuh, Skokomish "Puget Sound Type" Photograph by Edward Curtis. Scanned from Asahel Curtis lantern slide. Original photo appears in The North American Indian, v.9 Plate between pp. 26-27 (slide has crack through coverglass). The Skokomish were one band of a tribe that called itself the Twana. They controlled the entire Hood Canal area and that of its tributaries. The Skokomish were located at Annas Bay and the watershed of the Skokomish River. The other principal bands were the Tulalip, Soatlkobsh, Quilcene, and Slchoksbish. At the early part of the 19th century, they numbered 900. By the Treaty of Point No Point, 1855, that confined them to the Skokomish Reservation at the head of Hoods Canal, they totalled 300.

Indians of North America--Skokomish--1910-1920; Women--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

Interview with Christina Blocker filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Shondea Chapman conducted by dindria barrow on August 16, 2022. In this interview, Shondea describes the places she calls home and her childhood memories between Los Angeles, California, Yakima, Washington and Muskogee, Oklahoma. Shondea has had multiple homes over the course of her life and she is glad that she has had them. Her story is an example of how we are connected to our geographies and our communities. Shondea continues to ask the question, “Who am I going to be?” which propels her into the future.

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Lorenzo Cervantes conducted by dindria barrow on August 23, 2022. In this interview, Lorenzo talks about his passion for HIV Prevention as well as education overall. Lorenzo describes how education was the primary way that his life changed and that it was a gift given to him by his immigrant parents. He knew at a young age that he loved differently and was gay. He also knew about injustice at a young age because he was ignored for not speaking English or looking white. Lorenzo leaves us with this advice: “A child needs advocates when they go to school… Education is key for everything…a way of getting out of poverty…we need to support our youth to be able to have the schooling that they deserve to have. [and] About HIV right now, is that we don’t hear about it as much as we should; it’s still an epidemic…talk about it with your friends, talk about it with your family, and even with your mom.” Lorenzo is the Prevention Director of the Pierce County AIDS Foundation (PCAF).

Back of photo: Cascadia Jan 1 1977

Back of photo: Tribal Leaders

Back of photo: Cascadia Juvenile Reception Diagnostic Center Photograph by Jerry Buck

Back of photo: Cascadia- Indian Tile Uncovered, Cascadia Juvenile Diagnostic Center

This early 1880s photograph by C. E. & Hattie King is of the Tacoma waterfront. Several European Americans are standing near Indian canoes moored along the shoreline. The location is believed to be south of the James Williams salmon cannery in Old Tacoma. The Kings brief period of photographing Tacoma views documents the blending of cultures and history--the presence and traditions of local Native Americans and the presence of newer Americans establishing homes, industries and towns in the West. KING 016, TPL-3746.