Edward S. Curtis was a photographer with a strong interest in ethnology who spent over 30 years documenting Native American culture. Concerned about the potential loss of these traditions due to westward expansion and government policies, he set out to capture them for future generations. Curtis referred to Native Americans as a "vanishing race" and aimed to record their diverse customs and traditions across the American West.
Related: 10 Things You Didn't Know Were Invented By Native Americans
Funded by J.P. Morgan, Curtis began his ambitious project in 1906, originally planned for five years but extended due to its scale. He took 1,500 photographs and recorded 10,000 wax cylinders of language and music. Despite facing criticism for staged images, his work remains invaluable. Today, we have access to over 40,000 images of the tribes he visited, providing a wealth of information on tribal cultures, including folklore, clothing, traditional foods, housing, leisure activities, and ceremonies. All of this is now accessible through digitized archives and physical publications.
Below are some of Curtis' most striking photos that offer a rare glimpse into Native American history.
