The North American Indian

"The information that is to be gathered ... respecting the mode of life of one of the great races of mankind, must be collected at once or the opportunity will be lost."

In 1906, J. P. Morgan provided Edward Curtis with $75,000 to produce a series on Native Americans and he recorded tribal lore and history, and he described traditional foods, housing, garments, recreation, ceremonies, and funeral customs. Curtis's goal was to photograph and to document as much of Native American traditional life as possible before that way of life disappears.

Contents:

The Apache

Historical Sketch

Homeland and Life

Mythology - Creation Myth

Medicine and Medicine-men

The Messiah Craze

Puberty Rite

Dance of the Gods

The Jicarillas

Home and General Customs

Mythology - Creation Myth

Miracle Performers

Origin of Fire

The Navaho

Home Life, Arts, and Beliefs

History

Mythology - Creation Myth

Miracle Performers

Legend of the Happiness Chant

Legend of the Night Chant

Ceremonies—the Night Chant

Maturity Ceremony

Marriage

Southern Athapascan Comparative Vocabulary