Pa-da-no-a-pa-pe, He Whom a Rockawee Struck. Head Chief of the Yankton Sioux [Lakota]. Dakota. Possibly 1857 - 1872

Editor: This photograph, titled *Pa-da-no-a-pa-pe, He Whom a Rockawee Struck. Head Chief of the Yankton Sioux [Lakota]. Dakota.* was created by the McClees Gallery. I’m struck by the subject's direct gaze, but also by the very formal studio setting. What can you tell me about the context in which it was made? Curator: These photographic portraits served a dual purpose. On one hand, they documented Indigenous leaders, but on the other, they were often used to reinforce colonial power structures. Consider how the subject is presented within this oval frame, almost like a specimen. Editor: That's a disturbing perspective. I hadn't considered how the photograph itself could be a tool of control. Curator: Indeed. The commercial success of these images also contributed to a romanticized, and often inaccurate, depiction of Native Americans that shaped public opinion and policy. These photos made a big political impact. Editor: That changes everything about how I see this image. It really highlights the complex relationship between art, power, and representation.