When American photographer Edward S. Curtis first photographed Native Indians in 1906, he didn’t know that was just the beginning of his 20-year journey of photographing more than 80 tribes.
His fascination of indigenous people turned into a collection of more than 40,000 photos, named The North American Indian. Today they are an impressive record of life, culture, and the struggles of Native Americans.
Navajo tribe in the Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, in 1904. Edward S. Curtis/Library of Congress
Shows As He Goes, half-length portrait from a visit of Apache Indian groups, 1905. Edward S. Curtis/Library of Congress
The Talk, 1905. Edward S. Curtis/Library of Congress
Sioux chiefs, 1905. Edward S. Curtis/Library of Congress
The whaler-Clayoquot, 1910. Edward S. Curtis/Library of Congress
Saguaro fruit gatherers--Maricopa, Arizona, 1907. Edward S. Curtis/Library of Congress
Edward S. Curtis/Library of Congress
The lone Chief--Cheyenne, 1927. Edward S. Curtis/Library of Congress
Edward S. Curtis/Library of Congress
Watching the signal, 1905. Edward S. Curtis/Library of Congress
Running Rabbit, 1900. Edward S. Curtis/Library of Congress
Wisham girl, 1910. Edward S. Curtis/Library of Congress
Three Piegan Indians and four horses on hill above river, 1910. Edward S. Curtis/Library of Congress
Lies Sideway, a Crow man, 1908. Edward S. Curtis/Library of Congress
Quiet waters--Yurok, 1923. Edward S. Curtis/Library of Congress
The Hidatsa Indian eagle catcher, 1908. Edward S. Curtis/Library of Congress
