Chief Gall, Hunkpapa Sioux, from the American Indian Chiefs series (N36) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

Editor: This is "Chief Gall, Hunkpapa Sioux," a print from 1888 by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. It seems like an odd choice for cigarette packaging! What’s your take on a piece like this? Curator: Well, these cards were immensely popular, and tell us a lot about the construction of celebrity and the romanticizing of the "Wild West" in the late 19th century. It depicts Chief Gall surrounded by stereotypical symbols - the headdress, snowshoes, a pipe, a scene of men riding horses. The layering of these images presents a romantic and curated portrait of Chief Gall. Editor: Curated is the right word! It feels… staged. Do you think viewers at the time would see it that way? Curator: It depends. On one hand, images like these reinforced harmful stereotypes about Native Americans. They were circulated widely, shaping public opinion and justifying government policies of forced assimilation. But on the other hand, this image does at least acknowledge Chief Gall by name, lending some credence to his existence as an individual of some importance, but embedded within the wider social issues. What do you think about the medium, as it is reproduced through cigarette cards? Editor: That makes it seem almost insidious! To profit off an image of someone while simultaneously contributing to the erasure of his actual identity. It's fascinating how something as small as a cigarette card can hold such weight. Curator: Exactly. And remember, the imagery wasn’t neutral; it actively shaped public discourse and contributed to very real-world consequences for Native communities. Looking at seemingly innocuous objects like these can reveal the complex and often troubling history of representation and power. Editor: I'll never look at trading cards the same way again. Thank you for broadening my perspective.