Pipe Dance - Assinneboine 1861 - 1869

Curator: The first thing I notice is the gathering, a dense circle of figures in what seems like a central act. Editor: That’s quite accurate. This watercolor painting, "Pipe Dance – Assinneboine," was created by George Catlin sometime between 1861 and 1869. It gives us a glimpse into a very specific cultural moment. I’m struck by how the circle is drawn around the central figure with the pipe. It speaks to the interconnectedness of the community and the importance of this ritual. What’s your read on this ritualized exchange? Curator: Right, the circle. I see a lot of visual cues, specifically pipes adorned with feathers, and their position held as a place of honor. I read it as a moment of negotiation with colonizers, or maybe a diplomatic gathering meant to solidify unity amongst internal factions. Editor: Interesting take, especially in thinking about that power dynamic. But, pipes throughout the history of many indigenous tribes carry an inherent significance—often, it can mean spiritual connection, even reverence. So, I find myself wondering about this "Pipe Dance," its name could carry meanings of celebration rather than solely diplomacy. Curator: Of course, but it also feels important to account for Catlin’s particular gaze, as a colonizer, documenting Native populations through his lens. The paintings like these have played an important role in shaping and controlling the image of native peoples throughout history, specifically in the 19th Century. I do want to make room for this image to be about joy and ritual but, ultimately, cannot ignore the importance of context. Editor: Fair enough, however the image of the pipe could have served as a common cultural thread. Even within colonizer circles, there would’ve been the understanding that pipe-sharing has to do with alliance, respect and peace, while equally communicating a spirituality deeply rooted in native tradition. So maybe there’s room for both? Curator: There is definitely room for both; in my reading, it becomes possible to explore the tensions of identity, resistance, and representation at play within these complex historical encounters. Editor: It makes you ponder how much agency the depicted population had to imbue images with subtle markers of meaning and defiance, as encoded symbols, hidden from immediate understanding. A truly interesting thing to think about.