In Photos: Native American Tribes

Mósa – Mohave

Compiled by Curtis from 1907-30, the 20 volumes of text accompanied by 20 folios of large-format photogravures, document the lives and customs of the Native American tribes

Photograph: Swann Auction Galleries

Oasis in the Badlands

One of the most celebrated images from The North American Indian publication

Qa’Ĥíla – Koprino

Curtis explained his motives in the introduction to the first volume in 1907: ‘The information that is to be gathered … respecting the mode of life of one of the great races of mankind, must be collected at once or the

opportunity will be lost.’ The Koprinos are part of the Kwakiutl group