Unpacking Edward Curtis’ Trunk

1. Unpacking Edward Curtis’ Trunk

2. MEMO • From: the Director of the Smithsonian Anthropology Department • To: Staff of the Anthropology Department • We have just received word that that the Smithsonian has received a trunk containing photographs taken by Edward Curtis at the end of the 1800's. Mr. Curtis devoted his life's work to chronicling the lives and cultures of Native Americans in the Western and Northern regions of the country. This is a huge find for our Anthropology Department. The Smithsonian Board of Directors has asked us to analyze the photographs to see how the environment and natural resources might have affected the lives and culture of the people in different regions of the country in early American history.

3. Our Assignment Over the next few days, Expert Groups will analyze photos of Native American tribes from the Northwest region of the United States.

4. Physical Anthropology Expert Groups Physical Anthropologists will study FOOD, CLOTHING,SHELTER As you do this, you will focus on the natural resources of the area and how this culture used these resources.

5. Cultural Anthropology Expert Groups Cultural Anthropologists will study POLITICAL STRUCTURE, SOCIAL STRUCTURE, RELIGION As you do this, you will focus on the natural resources of the area and how this culture used these resources.

6. Presentation to the Board • Each group will • present their Analysis Packet to the Anthropology Department. • make a 2-3 minute oral presentation of their findings

7. Practicing your Skills as a Physical Anthropologist

9. Captured whale (The North American Indian; v.11) CREATORCurtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. SUMMARYDescription by Edward S. Curtis: A small humpback whale (Megapter) lies partially butchered on the beach at Neah Bay. NOTES1 photogravure : brown ink ; 36 x 43 cm. Original photogravure produced in Boston by John Andrew & Son, c1915. Original source: The Nootka. The Haida [portfolio] ; plate no. 396

11. Primitive Quinault (The North American Indian; v.09) • CREATORCurtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. • SUMMARYDescription by Edward S. Curtis: Among the Coast Salish the aboriginal dress of women was a knee-length kilt of thick, cedar-bark fringe. No other garment was worn except when cold or rain made goat-hair or vegetal-fibre blankets or capes desireable. • NOTES1 photogravure : brown ink ; 44 x 30 cm. • Original photogravure produced in Boston by John Andrew & Son, c1912. • Original source: Salishan tribes of the coast. The Chimakum and the Quilliute. The Willapa [portfolio] ; plate no. 293 • Seattle : E.S. Curtis, 1913.

13. Fishing camp - Skokomish (The North American Indian; v.09) • CREATORCurtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. • SUMMARYDescription by Edward S. Curtis: The picture shows a typical summer house at a picturesque spot on Skokomish River.Description by Edward S. Curtis: Washington (State)

14. Practicing your Skills as a Cultural Anthropologist

16. Group of winter dancers - Qagyuhl (The North American Indian; v.10) • CREATORCurtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. • NOTES1 photogravure : brown ink ; 34 x 43 cm. • Original photogravure produced in Boston by John Andrew & Son, c1914. • Original source: The Kwakiutl [portfolio] ; plate no. 348

18. Masked dancer - Cowichan (The North American Indian; v.09) • CREATORCurtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. • SUMMARYDescription by Edward S. Curtis: The dancer personates one of the mythic ancestors who descended from the sky. Note the huge, carved house-post at the right.

20. Coming for the bride (The North American Indian; v.10) • CREATORCurtis, Edward S., 1868-1952. • SUMMARYDescription by Edward S. Curtis: In the bow qunhulahl, a masked man personating the thunderbird, dances with characteristic gestures as the canoe approaches the bride's village.

21. Let the Analysis Begin! • Use your Graphic Organizer to record what you observe in the photographs • Look at the information in each category and write on your “Power Thinking” chart statements about what the information tells you