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Native American Wisdom
The words and evocative black/white photographs in this book provide a dramatic visual and spiritual portrayal of Native American culture. Quotations by Native American leaders inspire us with their wisdom.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
7 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
About the author
Edward S. Curtis
212 books38 followersBeginning in 1900 and continuing over the next thirty years, Edward Sheriff Curtis, or the “Shadow Catcher” as he was later called by some of the tribes, took over 40,000 images and recorded rare ethnographic information from over eighty American Indian tribal groups, ranging from the Eskimo or Inuit people of the far north to the Hopi people of the Southwest. He captured the likeness of many important and well-known Indian people of that time, including Geronimo, Chief Joseph, Red Cloud, Medicine Crow and others. This monumental accomplishment is comprised of more than 2,200 sepia toned photogravures bound in twenty volumes of written information and small images and twenty portfolios of larger artistic representations.
Edward S. Curtis was born near Whitewater, Wisconsin in 1868. His father, a Civil War veteran and a Reverend, moved the family to Minnesota, where Edward became interested in photography and soon constructed his own camera and learned how to process the prints. At the age of seventeen he became an apprentice photographer in St. Paul. The family moved near Seattle, Washington, where Edward purchased a second camera and bought a half interest in a photographic studio. He married and the couple had four children.
In 1898 while photographing on Mt. Rainier, Curtis encountered a group of prominent scientists who were lost, among them George Bird Grinnell, a noted Indian expert, who became interested in Curtis’ work and invited him to photograph the Blackfeet Indian people in Montana two years later. It was there that Curtis practiced and developed his photographic skills and project methodology that would guide his lifetime of work among the other Indian tribes.
Such a massive project is almost incomprehensible in this day and age. In addition to the constant struggle for financing, Curtis required the cooperation of the weather, vehicles, mechanical equipment, skilled technicians, scholars and researchers and the Indian tribes as well. He dispatched assistants to make tribal visits months in advance. With the proper arrangements Curtis would travel by horseback or horse drawn wagon over paths or primitive “roads” to visit the tribes in their home territory. Once on site Curtis and his assistants would start work by interviewed the people and then photographing them either outside, in a structure, or inside his studio tent with an adjustable skylight. Employing these and other techniques over his lifetime he captured some of the most beautiful images of the Indian people ever recorded.
One of Curtis’ major goals was to record as much of the people’s way of traditional life as possible. Not content to deal only with the present population, and their arts and industries, he recognized that the present is a result of the past, and the past dimension must be included, as well. Guided by this concept, Curtis made 10,000 wax cylinder recordings of Indian language and music. In addition he took over 40,000 images from over 80 tribes, recorded tribal mythologies and history, and described tribal population, traditional foods, dwellings, clothing, games, ceremonies, burial customs, biographical sketches and other primary source information: all from a living as well as past tradition. Extending the same principle to the photographs, he presented his subjects in a traditional way whenever possible and even supplied a bit of the proper clothing when his subjects had none. Reenactments of battles, moving camp, ceremonies and other past activities were also photographed. These efforts provided extended pleasure to the elders and preserve a rare view of the earlier ways of the people.
With the publication of volume twenty in 1930, the years of struggle finally took their toll with Curtis suffering a physical and nervous break down. The declining interest in the American Indian, the Great depression, and other negative forces slowed, then halted the successful financial completion of the project. Less than 300 sets
Edward S. Curtis was born near Whitewater, Wisconsin in 1868. His father, a Civil War veteran and a Reverend, moved the family to Minnesota, where Edward became interested in photography and soon constructed his own camera and learned how to process the prints. At the age of seventeen he became an apprentice photographer in St. Paul. The family moved near Seattle, Washington, where Edward purchased a second camera and bought a half interest in a photographic studio. He married and the couple had four children.
In 1898 while photographing on Mt. Rainier, Curtis encountered a group of prominent scientists who were lost, among them George Bird Grinnell, a noted Indian expert, who became interested in Curtis’ work and invited him to photograph the Blackfeet Indian people in Montana two years later. It was there that Curtis practiced and developed his photographic skills and project methodology that would guide his lifetime of work among the other Indian tribes.
Such a massive project is almost incomprehensible in this day and age. In addition to the constant struggle for financing, Curtis required the cooperation of the weather, vehicles, mechanical equipment, skilled technicians, scholars and researchers and the Indian tribes as well. He dispatched assistants to make tribal visits months in advance. With the proper arrangements Curtis would travel by horseback or horse drawn wagon over paths or primitive “roads” to visit the tribes in their home territory. Once on site Curtis and his assistants would start work by interviewed the people and then photographing them either outside, in a structure, or inside his studio tent with an adjustable skylight. Employing these and other techniques over his lifetime he captured some of the most beautiful images of the Indian people ever recorded.
One of Curtis’ major goals was to record as much of the people’s way of traditional life as possible. Not content to deal only with the present population, and their arts and industries, he recognized that the present is a result of the past, and the past dimension must be included, as well. Guided by this concept, Curtis made 10,000 wax cylinder recordings of Indian language and music. In addition he took over 40,000 images from over 80 tribes, recorded tribal mythologies and history, and described tribal population, traditional foods, dwellings, clothing, games, ceremonies, burial customs, biographical sketches and other primary source information: all from a living as well as past tradition. Extending the same principle to the photographs, he presented his subjects in a traditional way whenever possible and even supplied a bit of the proper clothing when his subjects had none. Reenactments of battles, moving camp, ceremonies and other past activities were also photographed. These efforts provided extended pleasure to the elders and preserve a rare view of the earlier ways of the people.
With the publication of volume twenty in 1930, the years of struggle finally took their toll with Curtis suffering a physical and nervous break down. The declining interest in the American Indian, the Great depression, and other negative forces slowed, then halted the successful financial completion of the project. Less than 300 sets
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
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March 29, 2009Sometimes I wish I were born one or two thousand years ago. This book reminds me why.
pg 100:
"I was born upon the prairie, where the wind blew free, and there was nothing to break the light of the sun. I was born where there were no enclosures, and where everything drew a free breath... I know every stream and every wood between the Rio Grande and the Arkansas. I have hunted and lived over that country. I lived like my fathers before me, and like them, I lived happily."
-- Ten Bears [Parra-wa-samem:], Yamparethka Comanche chief
pg 100:
"I was born upon the prairie, where the wind blew free, and there was nothing to break the light of the sun. I was born where there were no enclosures, and where everything drew a free breath... I know every stream and every wood between the Rio Grande and the Arkansas. I have hunted and lived over that country. I lived like my fathers before me, and like them, I lived happily."
-- Ten Bears [Parra-wa-samem:], Yamparethka Comanche chief
October 31, 2022
"All birds , even those of the same species, are not alike, and is the same with animals and with human beings. The reason Wakantanka does not make two birds, or animals, or humans beings exactly alike is because each is placed here by Wakantanka to be an independent individuality and to rely upon itself." Beautiful book I bought a few years ago in Yosemite I belive. I really need to read on more native American gods and lore. This book was really small and full of good quotes
March 1, 2019
A Beautiful Civilisation, True Human Beings. The Native Indians were so in tune with the Great Spirit. This book is a very small pocket sized book with nice photographs; it has quotes from various Native Indians; use their wisdom to live more like them day by day, and to be more in tune with nature and the Great Spirit that dwells within you.
June 5, 2024
This is one of the smallest adult books (not adult themed) I have ever read. There are many quoted from famous chiefs, medicine men, and some of the women American Indians from the late 1800s. There are also photographs to accompany the thoughts. Reading this short book was a great way to start my day. There is a lot of inspiration, and the words make even this Christian think about who Wantatanka really is? Is He the same great God I worship? Maybe. . . maybe? One may have to read this for themselves and come to their own conclusions.
Read
January 21, 2020This book is comprised of many little sayings from the American Indians. It is a really good look into the spiritual part of life and how it is connected to all of us human beings. I enjoyed this book and came away thinking...."What if we know so little of the American Indians that they knew the supreme God as many know as the Christian God"
March 23, 2020
A nice enough book to dip in and out of. I think I enjoyed the photographs more than the quotes, probably because there has been so much commercialism over Native American stuff, that a cynical part of my mind kept wondering how accurate or 'real' these quotes for. Still, you have to like the sentiment anyway and it would all be wonderful if we could live with the same ideas ruling our world.
January 31, 2019
I love that we can have access to all these records of different civilizations that have came before us and be witnesses of their wise legacies to the world.
March 21, 2020
My Mom bought this tiny miniature book on a roadtrip at CHEROKEE HERITAGE MUSEUM AND GALLERY in Cherokee, NC. One of her many treasures left to me. ❤ I HONESTLY did NOT expect to find it here.
May 12, 2021
This was a cute tiny book I found in my neighbor's house. I mean it's tiny. It's about two inches by three inches, and half an inch thick.
April 26, 2022
I recommend reading this book
August 31, 2023
I love this sweet little collection of wisdom. Definitely recommend. Everyone should have this in their library 📚
~xo,
Rach
~xo,
Rach
February 2, 2024
A pretty little book with nice quotes from American Indians about life, the world and spirituality with cool vintage pictures of the culture and dress of the time.
June 26, 2025
24, 40, 42, 51, 58, 64, 68, 80, 87, 104, 112, 120
August 4, 2025
went to the donner museum yesterday and picked this up. there are no words
September 22, 2014
I didn't know beauty and wisdom could be packaged in such a small read. The wisdom spoken from a century ago still speaks to this century. My favorite quote: "Whenever the white man treats the Indian as they treat each other, then we will have no more wars. We shall all be alike--brothers of one father and one mother, with one sky above us and one country around us, and one government for all" (Hinmaton Yalatikit, Nex Perce chief). We can all learn from this tiny yet intelligent book in one hour.
June 29, 2011
The black & white pictures in this book are really wonderful. The quotes are also great.
The title is definitely right - there is a lot of wisdom to be found in this book. It has great quotes along with beautiful pictures that can be read again and again.
The title is definitely right - there is a lot of wisdom to be found in this book. It has great quotes along with beautiful pictures that can be read again and again.
November 27, 2016
Il se lit très vite celui-ci ! C'est un tout mini-livre qui propose de très belles citations et photos en noir et blanc ; pour le coup elles seraient sans doute plus agréable à regarder en grand format.
September 9, 2016
A very short but really nice little compilation of quotes from Native Americans.
June 22, 2014
Little book; big wisdom.
July 17, 2022
I very much enjoyed reading this pocket sized book. The pictures were amazing and the quotes inspirational.
December 11, 2015
I have red the miniature edition of this book, wow great book, so much wisdom..Respect for the Native Americans...
December 5, 2016
One of my favorites!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews