30 Powerful Edward S. Curtis Photos That Preserved Native American History

Edward S. Curtis spent over three decades documenting Native American life with his camera, creating one of the most important photographic records in American history. These 30 images from his massive collection, spanning from 1868 to 1952, capture not just faces but entire cultures during a time of tremendous change and upheaval. Curtis traveled to remote reservations and tribal communities, often spending months earning trust and permission to photograph sacred ceremonies, daily life, and portraits that reveal the dignity and humanity of his subjects. While his work has sparked debates about representation and perspective, there's no denying the power of these images to connect us with people and traditions that might otherwise have been lost to time.