DIGITAL HISTORY FEATURE - NATIVE AMERICA ARTS AND LABOR
Despite centuries of exploitation, Navajo rug weavers and Pueblo potters continue to practice their artistry today, as do artists from many other indigenous nations. Some peddle their wares to tourists visiting tribal lands, while others reserve their skills for tribal rituals that remain off-limits to people from other ethnic groups.
Despite the changes that have occurred since Native Americans and non-Native Americans began mingling, the work of the native artisan remains predominantly unchanged. Sand painting, basketry, rug weaving-all these fine arts still rely on the labor of individual craftsmen, just as they did centuries ago.
These documents show photographs depicting Native American artisanship, culture, and labor in the United States. Using these documents, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:
What differences and/or similarities can you observe among the art of the various indigenous nations represented in these images?
How have artists' techniques changed over time?
What role does religion play in the artwork depicted here?
Has commercialization dramatically affected the indigenous art you see here?
How do gender and age figure into the artistry depicted in these images?
How did Native Americans fit into the expanding American economy?
Required Viewing: Click on image to explore full size.
Hopi snake priest with snake in his mouth in the Hopi Snake dance. c1899.
Gallup, New Mexico. Ben Acory, an Indian worker employed at the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad car shops. 1943.
Indian men, women and children working in Kent hop field, ca. 1895. Between the 1860s and the early 1900s, hops were grown widely in western Washington state as a flavoring for beer. more...
Indian women hop pickers, Snoqualmie Hop Ranch, ca. 1895. Native people from many tribes traveled to work in western Washington hop fields each fall. more...
A Lake Mono basket-maker. Native American woman, half-length portrait, seated facing left, holding basket. c. 1924.
Chilkat woman weaving blanket, Alaska. c. 1910
the Mush Basket-Karok. Indian seated and stirring something in basket, Humboldt Bay, Calif. N.d.
A Hopi basket weaver. c. 1910
Navajo Indians, blanket and belt weavers. c.1910. Navajo woman weaving on horizontal loom in camp at Keam's Canyon, Arizona as a child, Nedespa, cards wool, another woman spins wool (left) and another women weaves at a belt frame (right).
Saguaro gatherers. Three Maricopa Indians, seated in front of cactus, with baskets. c. 1907.
Achomawi basket-maker. 1923.
Zuni Indian bead worker drilling holes in beads. c. 1903.
Woman making snow shoes. [between ca. 1900 and ca. 1930]
Chapter References:
Indians as slaves, 18, 76, 77, 80, 82, 116, 171
Indian agriculture, 7, 10, 73-74, 80, 81, 100-101, 535
Indians in Virginia Colony, 51-52, 54-55, 56-60, 188
View: Group of Native American workers who were employed on a section gang working on the Atchison, Topkea and Santa Fe Railroad tracks.
View: Ben Acory, an Indian worker employed at the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad car shops.
View: Shed of Native American agricultural worker. McIntosh County, Oklahoma.
View: Native American agricultural workers. McIntosh County, Oklahoma.
View: Native American girls peddled charms, bead work and commercial Indian curios at the local Indian association sponsored Indian fair. Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
View: Native American woman getting water from stream in Southwestern United States.
