Indian camp on the road to Lake St. John before 1866

This photograph, "Indian Camp on the Road to Lake St. John," was taken by William Notman in Canada, sometime in the mid-to-late 19th century. It depicts an encampment of Indigenous people, likely members of one of the many First Nations groups who inhabited the region. This image, like many produced by Notman's studio, played a role in shaping perceptions of Indigenous peoples during a period of significant social and political change. The encroachment of European settlers, the imposition of colonial policies, and the suppression of Indigenous cultures all contributed to a complex and often fraught relationship between Indigenous communities and the dominant society. The reference in the adjacent text to the necessity of 'Indian or white attendants' in order to go still-hunting reminds us of the racial hierarchy of this time. Understanding the context in which photographs like this were created requires delving into archival sources, historical accounts, and Indigenous perspectives, to reveal a more nuanced and complete picture of this period.