This series of portraits contains 8 rare photographic prints of a joint Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) and Umatilla delegation visit to Washington, D.C. in 1900. The portraits were taken by an unknown photographer and depict both Native and non-Native individuals, some of whom remain unidentified. This delegation visit was one of many Chief Joseph (Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt) made in his lifetime to advocate for the return of the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) from the Colville Indian Reservation to their original tribal lands in Wallowa Valley, Oregon, from which they had been forcibly removed. During this visit in 1900, Chief Joseph met with General Nelson A. Miles, who had captured Chief Joseph in 1877, at the War Department. General Miles then introduced Chief Joseph to the Secretery of the Interior, Ethan Allen Hitchcock. Chief Joseph urged both men to use their influence to restore the original Nimiipuu land, but this request was not granted.
The delegates appearing in this series includes Cayuse delegate Chief Paul Showaway and Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) delegates Chief Joseph (Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt), Stephen J. Reuben, and Chief Peo Peo Tholekt (Peopeotahlikt/Peo Peo T'olikt/Peo-Peo-Ta-Lakt/George Peo-peo-tah-likt/Bird Alighting). Stephen J. Reuben was Chief Joseph's nephew, and acted as an interpreter for this visit. This series was possibly photographed outside of 1111 Masachussets Avenue, Washington, D.C. Additional identifications were provided by Nakia Williamson-Cloud, Nez Perce Tribe Cultural Resource Program, 2003.
Photographic prints include P13196-P13203.
Note: Although these photographs were originally catlogued as having been taken in 1889, contemporary newspaper accounts and related photographic collections attest to this delegation visit occurring in the year 1900.
Related Materials:
Washington State University Library possesses additional photographs from this delegation visit. See WSU's National Park Service (NPS) Nez Perce Historic Images Collection (images EPE-HI-2928 and NEPE-HI-3232).
Collection Restrictions:
Access to NMAI Archives Center collections is by appointment only, Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm. Please contact the archives to make an appointment (phone: 301-238-1400, email: nmaiarchives@si.edu).
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from National Museum of the American Indian Archives Center. Please submit a written request to nmaiphotos@si.edu. For personal or classroom use, users are invited to download, print, photocopy, and distribute the images that are available online without prior written permission, provided that the files are not modified in any way, the Smithsonian Institution copyright notice (where applicable) is included, and the source of the image is identified as the National Museum of the American Indian. For more information please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use and NMAI Archive Center's Digital Image request website.
Collection Citation:
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Captain Allyn Capron photograph collection, image #, NMAI.AC.152; National Museum of the American Indian Archives Center, Smithsonian Institution.
Photograph depicting Chief Peo Peo Tholekt (Nimiipuu [Nez Perce]), left, and Chief Paul Showaway (Cayuse), right, posed outside of a brick building. Both men wear traditional clothing. This photograph was likely taken in March or April of 1900, possibly at 1111 Massachusetts Avenue, during a delegation visit to Washington, D.C. led by Chief Joseph. The photographer is unknown.
Related Materials:
Washington State University Library possesses a photograph depicting this scene from a slightly different angle. The photographic identifier is NEPE-HI-3232.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to NMAI Archives Center collections is by appointment only, Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm. Please contact the archives to make an appointment (phone: 301-238-1400, email: nmaiarchives@si.edu).
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from National Museum of the American Indian Archives Center. Please submit a written request to nmaiphotos@si.edu. For personal or classroom use, users are invited to download, print, photocopy, and distribute the images that are available online without prior written permission, provided that the files are not modified in any way, the Smithsonian Institution copyright notice (where applicable) is included, and the source of the image is identified as the National Museum of the American Indian. For more information please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use and NMAI Archive Center's Digital Image request website.
Collection Citation:
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Captain Allyn Capron photograph collection, image #, NMAI.AC.152; National Museum of the American Indian Archives Center, Smithsonian Institution.
