The so-called “vanishing
race” emerges in Indian Country
The rugged American
Northwest has drawn people from every point on the compass. Europeans claimed
it as the New World but, to the people who already lived here, it was home -
the center of life, culture and humanity. Lewis and Clark’s Corps of
Discovery (1804-06) marked the beginning of America’s century of Westward
expansion and led to a sweeping effort to eradicate Northwest Native American
culture and its people. As a result, Native people were widely regarded in
American culture as the “vanishing race”.
“Indian Country: Modern Images of an Ancient People,” a new photography exhibit by photographer
Brian M. Christopher proves that Native culture has not only endured but
has re-emerged in the 21st century as a new hybrid rooted in its
ancient past yet embracing the modern world.
Christopher’s images
showing members of tribes in both Oregon and Washington emulates the work of Northwest
ethnologist and photographer Edward Curtis (1868-1952), whose work is a landmark
photographic record of tribal culture and practices.
“There are a lot of layers to the history of this area,” Christopher
said. “But so much of the people
that once lived here has disappeared. I wanted to capture what still remains.”
Christopher, a veteran
photojournalist, drew inspiration from Curtis who spent 30 years capturing 40,000 images from Northwest tribal groups and printed them in a
distinctively rich sepia tone. Christopher set about photographing modern
Native Americans when they performed ritual dances, fished for salmon along the
banks of the Columbia and Klickitat rivers and wove natural baskets in the
traditions of their ancestors.
“Even though the Native people are depicted in
so-called traditional scenarios, almost every one features some small
indication of change to their culture – like an exit sign in a longhouse -
which was brought about by interaction with the Europeans.”
The exhibit also features a display of ephemera
showcasing how Native culture has been depicted in postcards, books and
pamphlets over the last 100 years. And, Christopher says, the Camas setting is
perfect for the exhibit because the camas lily, for which the city is named,
was a Native American food staple and still grows in the area.
“I want people to realize that even though Native
people have been changed, they have survived. They are not the vanishing race.”
Christopher is an award-winning photojournalist with more than 30 years
experience working for Agence-France Presse, USA Today, Newsweek, U.S. News
& World Report, United Press International and newspapers in Florida and
Pennsylvania. Christopher lives in Camas, Washington, with his wife, Lisa, and
two daughters, Kathryn and Elizabeth. He has been a Northwest resident since
2005.
Christopher’s blog regarding his work is here.
“Indian Country: Modern Images
of an Ancient People” runs June 6-27 in the Second Story Gallery of the Camas
Public Library, 625 NE 4th Avenue Camas, Washington 98607.
Artist's Reception
Friday, June 6
5-8 p.m.
