Amazing Vintage Portraits of Native Americans in the Late 19th Century

In the late 19th century, Native Americans faced immense challenges as the U.S. government expanded westward. Following the Civil War, the U.S. pursued policies aimed at removing Native peoples from their ancestral lands and forcing assimilation into American society. The forced relocation of tribes to reservations, often through treaties that were not honored, resulted in significant loss of life and culture.

In 1890, the Wounded Knee Massacre marked a brutal end to armed resistance by Native groups. The U.S. military’s defeat of the Lakota Sioux at this event symbolized the end of large-scale Native American resistance. Meanwhile, assimilation policies, such as the Dawes Act of 1887, aimed to break up tribal landholdings and promote individual ownership, further eroding traditional Native cultures.

Throughout this period, Native Americans struggled to maintain their way of life while facing increasing pressure from European-American settlers, government policies, and military forces. By the end of the 19th century, many Native communities had been decimated, with their lands and resources drastically reduced.

Here is a set of amazing photos that shows portraits of Native Americans in the late 19th century.

"Curley" a Crow Indian Scout for General Custer

American Horse

Bear Shield

Chief Iron White Man

Crazy Horse

Frank Hup and son

Ga-Be-Nah-Gwey-Wence also known as "John Smith"

Joseph and Susie Good

Judge Bird Head and wife

Ka-Be-Nah-Gwey-Wence

Little Chief

Long Bull

Mrs. Blue Bird

Mrs. James Cedar

Sioux Indian

Two Strikes, Chief of Sioux Nation, Wounded Knee, SD

Wounded Bear, Wounded Knee, SD