Lessons from the shadow-catcher

March 22, 2016
  • AACRAO Annual Meeting
  • AACRAO Connect
Photo of a stage decorated in blue and green colors.

AACRAO kicked off its 102nd Annual Meeting on Sunday at the Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona with a captivating performance by Native American dancers, followed by an absorbing tale from acclaimed writer and veteran chronicler of the American West, Timothy Egan.

 

 

Before Egan took the stage, Native American dancers performed traditional dances and entraced the audience with a lovely original flute solo. Next, Egan discussed the topic of his recent book, Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: The Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis.

Highlighting a small sample of over 40,000 photographs, Egan explored the artistic odyssey of Edward Curtis who, over the course of his adult life, pursued his passion of capturing and preserving the story of the First Americans at the dawn of the 20th century.  

During his time as a portrait photographer in the Seattle area, Curtis met the last surviving daughter of the area’s namesake – Chief Seattle. Over time, Curtis came to see how the U.S government was institutionally erasing Native ways of life, and he became inspired to document the continent’s original inhabitants against a changing landscape. Throughout his 30-year obsession, he developed strong relationships with his subjects, gaining a respect for the customs and cultures of each individual tribe and becoming an advocate of Native American citizenship. Over time, Curtis traveled and documented every intact tribal culture in the United States, producing a mutliple-volume book that spans five feet on a bookshelf. Only 250 copies were printed; most are now in university libraries, although one is owned by the Queen of England.

Despite acclaim early in his career, Curtis died alone and in poverty, having lost the rights to his enduring masterpiece. Today, however, he is hailed for for his legacy in preserving Indian culture, capturing memories, and not just images, to allow the people who so inspired him live forever.

Like Curtis, Timothy Egan encouraged attendees to “jump in, don’t be a bystander.” When you find something that you are passionate about, get involved, have an opinion, be a part of the conversation because that is how you can make a difference.

 

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