The fourth box is finished, and I have just started on the fifth one (CH 1201 - 1420). Edits and titles are also completed through CH 1220. I started to find and replace many items in 'Paper dimensions' as well, but this will definitely take some time.
I came across two interesting prints that, like many I have found, do not appear to fit in with the Chemawa prints. CH 1091 shows two males, one adult and one child. They are both in Native dress. Behind them are trees. There appears to be a pile of wood in front of them. Are they camping? Why is there a photo of a Native adult male? Were these friends of the photographer? Are they actually Chemawa students? The second print, CH 1098, shows what appears to be an adult male standing in a campsite in the desert. Where is he (eastern Oregon?)? Is this a permanent residence? Does this print accompany the other seemingly misplaced prints of desert landscape? Was this taken on a field trip?
I believe I've found the oldest prints in the collection so far. CH 1207 is a portrait of two children: "Lulin Brewer" and "Ernest Brewer." CH 1208 is a portrait of a young woman, "Addie Irwin... daughter of Chemawa Supt 1889-1892." Many photos of buildings may also be significantly older than the others because of their faded, grainy quality: CH 1081, 1084, and 1101-1103.
Today there were also many group portraits and individual portraits. Some were of faculty (1120-1126), others of employees (1179), many of students (1177, 1151, 1181-1834-1188, 1199), and even some of sports teams (1150, 1167, 1146, 1171, 1172, 1185). The individual portraits were all of students in graduation cap and gowns (CH 1202-3, 1211-1220).
CH 1197 is labeled "Carpentry Class" on the back. Male students pose with a large sculpted eagle with am American flag coat of arms, backed by a fleur de lis. Why did the class make this sculpture? Was it made to celebrate a holiday? Were the students proud of this large, intricate sculpture? Were similar sculptures made that honored Native American symbolism? CH 1197 shows a male student presenting a drum with many awards on it. Was the making of this drum, along with other items like it (other drums, sled, canoe), encouraged? Was it as important of a symbol as the eagle? What purpose did it serve at Chemawa? Did the student play it at a powwow?
1081 - 1220 / 3220
Great work, Alexis! The photos of places that don't seem to be Chemawa are likely places were the BIA was recruiting students. To this day, school officials go to reservations to recruit students. I have seen photos like this, and I think they were probably of the Navajo reservation, because in the 1950s & 60s, that's where most Chemawa students came from. It would be amazing to take those photos to the rez someday and try to see if anyone knows where they were taken.
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