British, Ioway, from the American Indian Chiefs series (N2) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This is a chromolithograph of British, an Ioway Chief, from the American Indian Chiefs series, made by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. These cards, trading cards really, were inserted into cigarette packs in the late 19th century, a time of westward expansion and the forced assimilation of Native Americans. The image of British, adorned with traditional Ioway clothing and regalia, stands in stark contrast to the commercial purpose it served. These cards were not created to honor Indigenous culture, but rather to capitalize on the public's fascination with the "exotic" and the "vanishing race." The term "British," an assigned name, hints at the disruption of Indigenous identity. Consider how this image, mass-produced and widely circulated, contributed to the construction of stereotypes and the erasure of Native American voices. Despite the commercial exploitation, can we also see this image as a testament to the enduring presence and resilience of the Ioway people?