The Standing Rock Portraits: Sioux Photographed by Frank Bennett Fiske

Photographer Frank Bennett Fiske (1883–1952) grew up near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota, and both his fascination and camaraderie with his neighbors, the Sioux tribe, are apparent in this captivating series of portraits shot at his studio at Fort Yates. The somber black-and-white photographs depict the men, women, and children of the early 20th century in remarkably sharp focus during a period of cultural transformation. Some of the subjects proudly display their heritage, such as two Sioux Powwow Dancers done up with body paint, while others appear comfortable in modern settings, including Louis Good Iron and his friend Herbert Keeps Eagle, two young men who pose in slacks. Others are photographed in both worlds with a quiet grace, like Joe No Heart, an older man who gazes peacefully into the camera in three portraits taken of him over a 10-year period. The subjects’ clothing is representative of the era and location, and includes items such as bobcat skin capes, buffalo horn headdresses, capes decorated with elk teeth, leather boots, sports coats, cowboys hats, and even a Theodore Roosevelt campaign button. Though Fiske’s work doesn’t always transcend early-20th-century stereotypes of Native Americans, more often than not his photos reveal a respectful view of these people. [em](Sept.) [/em]