Group of women and children, showing large dog in foreground, child holding puppy.
Account on back of stereoscopic photo. We frequently see published statements to the effect that the aborigines are rapidly disappearing, but the scene here depicted contradicts such an assertion. The eleven youthful Esquimaux who make up the little company in the foreground do not appear to be dissatisfied with existing conditions, nor discouraged at future prospects. They are fairly well clothed and evidently have not recently felt the pangs of hunger. Their youthful games and playthings are simple in character, but these little people extract quite as much enjoyment from them as do our more favored children in civilization, surrounded by the comforts and advantages of the modern nursery and kindergarten. The little Esquimaux have never seen a kitten for none was ever in that section of Alaska, but its place is well filled by the baby dog, which consists chiefly of a bundle of the downiest kind of fur, bright eyes and a playful disposition. In the background is a representation of one of those native sod houses which served as a habitation for the pioneer Russian and American as well as for the more advanced of the native Esquimaux. Many of these Indians now live in tents,and have otherwise adopted the costumes and customs of Americans." (no date) -- John P. Clum, U.S.P.O Inspector and Lecturer Copyright. by B. L. Singley.
Local Numbers:
OPPS NEG.3106 C 4
Local Note:
Stereoscopic photograph, probably by Cross, Hot Springs, South Dakota. No date.
Series of sketches drawn from life by Florence Nupok, a full blood St Lawrence Island Eskimo woman. 93 sketches (numbers are listed on each drawing).
Could be a girl for in some cases where there has been a sickness or death in the family, a girl's hair may be trimmed to imitate a male child.
This series of sketches was made by Florence Nupok, a full blooded St Lawrence Island married Eskimo woman, aged about 19, during the winter of 1927-8 at her camp at N. East Cape. I purchased the sketches because they were drawn from life and because they show so nicely the usual every day life of the St Lawrence Island Eskimo. The sketches are worth the money expended for them and I doubt that an other set is in existence made by a native on the spot as these were. It is almost impossible for a white person to do any sketching in the houses or homes of these natives as they will not stand for it under any condition, unless one is fortunate enough to be taken into their tribe. I shall of course try to obtain photographs where ever possible. I shall ask Nupok again to continue this work for me, and I think she will. I trust that the idea meets with your approval. In a few years all St Lawrence Island Eskimos will live in frame houses -- five were built last year -- four this year (1928) and the old customs will go the long trail and be forgotten. Modern kitchen ranges, stoves, coal oil heaters, and so on are replacing the famous and serviceable seal oil lamps, enamel pans, dishes, the old driftwood bowls and platters; aluminum tea kettles are replacing the good old Russian "Samovars", etc. Clothing is about the only thing that they cling to and for a very good reason, which is that the white man's clothing is not yet good enough to keep out the terrible winter's cold and for that reason, I too, adopt the native clothes, the only kind which is good enough to keep one warm. I shall list the sketches by numbers and will give the remarks...
Biographical / Historical:
Made during the winter (1927-1928) at her camp at North East Cape.
Florence Nupok is now Florence Malewotkuk, according to Dorothy Ray, 1968.
Series of sketches drawn from life by Florence Nupok, a full blood St Lawrence Island Eskimo woman. 93 sketches (numbers are listed on each drawing).
This illustrates the usual manner in which youngsters are carried on mother's shoulders. In different sections of Alaska the method of carrying children varies. This is the Siberian and St Lawrence Island method. The child's garments are made of reindeer fawnskin with the hair inside. The large fur collar around the neck is of dog fur. The cap is separate from the other clothes and is made of fur seal, land otter, or similar rich fur. During the early life of the baby this cap usually contains a portion of the dried umbilical cord cut and put aside for this purpose by the attending midwife, who may be any one of the of the old women of experience about the village. This is kept under the cap until the suture on the top of the head is healed over when this charm, which is sewed into a small package of sealskin, is worn by the mother on her neck string. Frequently barren women on the Island borrow these charms from the women who have successfully borne children in the hope that they too may bring children into the family.
This series of sketches was made by Florence Nupok, a full blooded St Lawrence Island married Eskimo woman, aged about 19, during the winter of 1927-8 at her camp at N. East Cape. I purchased the sketches because they were drawn from life and because they show so nicely the usual every day life of the St Lawrence Island Eskimo. The sketches are worth the money expended for them and I doubt that an other set is in existence made by a native on the spot as these were. It is almost impossible for a white person to do any sketching in the houses or homes of these natives as they will not stand for it under any condition, unless one is fortunate enough to be taken into their tribe. I shall of course try to obtain photographs where ever possible. I shall ask Nupok again to continue this work for me, and I think she will. I trust that the idea meets with your approval. In a few years all St Lawrence Island Eskimos will live in frame houses -- five were built last year -- four this year (1928) and the old customs will go the long trail and be forgotten. Modern kitchen ranges, stoves, coal oil heaters, and so on are replacing the famous and serviceable seal oil lamps, enamel pans, dishes, the old driftwood bowls and platters; aluminum tea kettles are replacing the good old Russian "Samovars", etc. Clothing is about the only thing that they cling to and for a very good reason, which is that the white man's clothing is not yet good enough to keep out the terrible winter's cold and for that reason, I too, adopt the native clothes, the only kind which is good enough to keep one warm. I shall list the sketches by numbers and will give the remarks...
Biographical / Historical:
Made during the winter (1927-1928) at her camp at North East Cape.
Florence Nupok is now Florence Malewotkuk, according to Dorothy Ray, 1968.
Series of sketches drawn from life by Florence Nupok, a full blood St Lawrence Island Eskimo woman. 93 sketches (numbers are listed on each drawing).
The entire garment is made of one piece, union suit fashion, into which the child is slipped through the opening at the neck. Mittens and socks for very small children are sewn to the garment. For necessary bodily functions, such as urinating, the cover which is tied between the legs with strings reaching around the bodyand fastened at the back may be easily removed by the mother and later replaced. To provide color the strings are dyed red. The cap is made from fur seal skin while the trimming is very likely made from the skin of otter brought to the Island by traders.
This series of sketches was made by Florence Nupok, a full blooded St Lawrence Island married Eskimo woman, aged about 19, during the winter of 1927-8 at her camp at N. East Cape. I purchased the sketches because they were drawn from life and because they show so nicely the usual every day life of the St Lawrence Island Eskimo. The sketches are worth the money expended for them and I doubt that an other set is in existence made by a native on the spot as these were. It is almost impossible for a white person to do any sketching in the houses or homes of these natives as they will not stand for it under any condition, unless one is fortunate enough to be taken into their tribe. I shall of course try to obtain photographs where ever possible. I shall ask Nupok again to continue this work for me, and I think she will. I trust that the idea meets with your approval. In a few years all St Lawrence Island Eskimos will live in frame houses -- five were built last year -- four this year (1928) and the old customs will go the long trail and be forgotten. Modern kitchen ranges, stoves, coal oil heaters, and so on are replacing the famous and serviceable seal oil lamps, enamel pans, dishes, the old driftwood bowls and platters; aluminum tea kettles are replacing the good old Russian "Samovars", etc. Clothing is about the only thing that they cling to and for a very good reason, which is that the white man's clothing is not yet good enough to keep out the terrible winter's cold and for that reason, I too, adopt the native clothes, the only kind which is good enough to keep one warm. I shall list the sketches by numbers and will give the remarks...
Biographical / Historical:
Made during the winter (1927-1928) at her camp at North East Cape.
Florence Nupok is now Florence Malewotkuk, according to Dorothy Ray, 1968.
They are sitting on an ancient Chipewyan (or Eskimo ?) camp-site, marked by a circle of stones about 18 feet in diameter, on the extreme point or the North side of the mouth of Windy River.
Local Numbers:
NAA INV.10000853
OPPS NEG.50974
Local Note:
Taken in SW Keewatin: NW extremity of Neultin Lake, mouth of Windy River. Original Number 1475.