War Dance, from National Dances (N225, Type 1) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This small chromolithograph, "War Dance," was created by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as part of a series of trade cards that were popular in the late 19th century. These cards were originally included in cigarette packs, and the images often romanticized or exoticized different cultures. In this image, we see a stereotypical representation of a Native American warrior in a feathered headdress, engaged in a "war dance." The card reduces a complex tradition to a simplified, and quite frankly, misleading spectacle. It's a visual shorthand that flattens the rich diversity of Indigenous peoples. What we must consider is how these images worked to shape perceptions of Native Americans during a period of immense cultural upheaval and displacement. These cards served as a tool for popularizing and perpetuating a particular narrative, one that conveniently ignored the injustices and violence inflicted upon Indigenous communities. What's left is a potent reminder of the power of representation and the importance of understanding the historical context in which these images were produced and consumed.