Chief-Shevano-White River Ute 1866 - 1890

Editor: This is a photograph of Chief Shevano of the White River Ute, taken by William Chamberlain. The Chief's gaze is intense, and he's wearing a cartridge belt. What stories do you think this image tells about the relationship between the Ute people and the encroaching settlers? Curator: It’s crucial to look at this image through the lens of colonialism. Consider the power dynamic inherent in Chamberlain, a white photographer, capturing the image of Chief Shevano. How might this photograph have been used to reinforce dominant narratives about Native Americans? Editor: So, it's not just a portrait, but a statement about power? Curator: Precisely. The image's circulation contributed to the objectification and misrepresentation of indigenous identity within a larger historical context of dispossession and cultural erasure. The cartridges, a symbol of force, displayed across his chest, serve as a painful reminder of the violence and conflict. Editor: It changes the way I see the image, understanding the historical context. Curator: Indeed, and hopefully inspires reflection on the legacy of such images.