Facsimile of an Ojibbeway Robe 1861 - 1869

George Catlin created this Ojibbeway Robe facsimile using pen and brown ink with watercolor. Catlin was an American painter, author, and traveler who specialized in portraits of Native Americans in the Old West. During the 1830s, as part of a broader context of American expansion and cultural encounters, Catlin traveled through the American West. He made it his mission to record the appearance and customs of Native Americans, who he feared were disappearing. Here, the animals represent Ojibbeway clans. But it's important to remember that in doing so, he was also interpreting and representing these cultures through his own lens. While Catlin aimed to document and preserve Native American culture, his work also reflects the power dynamics of his time. This piece raises important questions about how we interpret and understand cultural representation, especially when it involves those with different backgrounds and experiences. How do we honor the emotional connection and lived experiences embedded within these representations?