Nez Perce

Artist JACKSON

MediumPhotograph

ClassificationsVisual Works

Credit LineMuseum collection

Object number1974.68.7

DescriptionA now -detached label reads: "Nez Perce. Sahaptin. (Anputice son of Captain Lewis of 1806 Expd.)." "Nez Perce" is hand written on the backing. A number on the photo reads "438" and a barely legible number above that seems to be "31." Jackson's Catalogue identifies 438 as a Nez Perce Half-breed. The description reads: "This man has long yellow hair and blue eyes, but is in every other respect a through Indian. Is said to be the son of one of the expedition under Lewis ans Clark, who visited their country early in this century." However, the man in the museum's photo seems to have dark hair, rather than blonde. The Smithsonian suggested that the museum's photo may not be the one that Jackson listed. According to Jackson's catalogue, the Nez Perce belonged to the Sahaptin family, thus explaining the word "Sahaptin" on the photo's label. Jackson writes that the Nez Perce dwelled on the Clearwater River and it's branches and on the Snake River near the forks. (The Clearwater is in Idaho, while the Snake is in neighboring Washington.)

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