Historic Hood River
Native Bead Work
1-30-2014
Notes
It’s a shame this image is framed so poorly, but perhaps the photographer was focusing on the bead work. It’s not hard to see why.
It’s part of a group of images circa 1915. I’m hoping to see some comments telling us more about the bead work.
charlott
Absolutely breath taking. All that work that went into that outfit. The Underwood girls, across the river were "expert" beaders. There are a couple of their creations at that little museum there in Bingen. Most of there things were destroyed many years ago in a house fire, which was tragic.
Mary Schlick would be the one who would be the most inclined to have any insight into this. She is very knowledgeable about the things made by the Columbia River tribes.
I can’t really determine in my own mind if this adult is a man or woman. I would say woman, mother of the little boy, were it not for the vest. The woman generally wore a long sleeve shirt and a short sleeved over the top of it. Saw that a lot at Celilo. Plus they tended to have more decorations in their braids. , and this one looks to only have some sort of skin woven in. Women geneally had a little color woven in their braids.Look at that little face, so sweet and innocent. Love his little hat.
l.e.
I am impressed with the braids.
I wonder who did the vest. Notice the salmon?
I wonder where they are camped. Looks like a pine tree in the back ground.
I’d like to pick the little guy up and give him a hug.
I will see if I can get someone around here that knows about beading to look at the photo.
Charlott
I am thinking this is during a salmon run. That table off to the left is pretty much like the table(s) used at Celilo where the women processed the salmon. It was covered with oil cloth to give it a slick surface to begin with. They put barrels at the end of it and after cleaning a number of fish, they would shove the remains down that table and into the barrel. They always had another barrel that they deposited the fish heads in as, "yuck" they boiled those up in soup. Nothing that could be used was wasted. Behind that table appears to be barrels. Alright where is the fish,
This could be on either side of the river, though the big catch was at Celilo. I can see it, smell it and hear it…..Such memories of my childhood.
Buzz
My guess. Elder of the tribe. Male. Dressed up in native refinery. Not everyday wear. Maybe for a formal pow wow or potlatch.
charlott
Could be for the annual Salmon Festival which I think has always been held since the start of time. But then the little boy more than likely would have had his "finery" on, as they all had their "best outfit" for such occasions. I have been in the longhouse at Celilo during Salmon festival and the children were all decked out for the occasion.
Jill Stanford
My only observation, aside from being breathless at the beadwork, is that I think it is a man. Because he is wearing a breech cloth over what appear to be leggings and not a skirt. Also, as Charlott pointed out, the vest was men’s attire. And, I see a strong chin – very masculine. The little boy is simply adorable with his inquisitive face. I will look forward to further observations.
nels
May even have a war bonnet re the feathers on either side of the head?
Steve
The childs face / facial expression is one to ponder….. what is he trying to tell you/us ? 🙂
Anyone care to guess what the round shapes are behind the table ?
Charlott
I said I thought they were barrels that were used in collecting the fish waste after they were cleaned. This was a very common practice. You also see them on the very right most portion of the photo by the tent.
Junior might be wondering what the contraption is that is pointed at him, meaning the camera. Something that I doubt at that time would have been something common where the Indians were concerned.
Steve
Charlott- I always enjoy your comments by 7:10 each am- 🙂 plz. keep it up !!
Re: Barrels- In the picture to the left behind the table the barrels appear to have no bottom. ?
No matter…. This picture is truely about the bead work and the child…