Pride and Dignity

Excerpts from the Exhibition: Scenes from Homes

Mention the word "Indian" and what image comes to mind? We have learned a lot about a mythological North American Indian figure from the television screen. In this century, Hollywood has manufactured an indelible image where the level of "expectation" is to see a nearly naked Indian warrior galloping across a dust-filled prairie on horseback. I am an Aboriginal person, and the image that comes to mind for me emanates from my family. As a child, I used to look through my grandmother's photo album and shoebox full of loose family snapshots. I never saw "those" Indian stereotypes, I did see informal photographs from family gatherings, baby pictures, graduations, marriages and the occasional studio portrait.

When I began my research project at the National Archives in 1993, I was determined to find images of the Aboriginal world that transcended the popular and typical stereotypes. I was also determined to exhibit photographs reflective of a people who, in the face of many harsh realities, retained a profound sense of dignity.

Jeffrey M. Thomas, Onondaga - Iroquois
Guest Curator

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