Peg-a-no-ke-shick, Hole In the Day. Head Chief of the Chippewas [Anishinabe]. Minnesota. c. 1858 - 1872

Curator: Here we have a photographic portrait of Peg-a-no-ke-shick, also known as Hole In the Day, a Head Chief of the Chippewa or Anishinabe people from Minnesota. It was taken by McClees Gallery. Editor: The sepia tones and oval frame give it a really antiquated feel, almost like a lost daguerreotype. There’s a definite air of forced assimilation, though. Curator: Absolutely, the imposed Western suit contrasts sharply with his braided hair, a potent symbol of cultural identity. It speaks volumes about the pressures placed upon Indigenous leaders during this period. Editor: It’s a visual representation of the push and pull between tradition and forced integration. He’s caught between worlds, and the photographer captures that tension so poignantly. Curator: Indeed, it's a window into a complex history, a reminder of the individual caught in the crosscurrents of cultural change. Editor: A stark reminder of the cost of erasure, and the continuous fight for self-determination.