Saturday, September 27, 2014

Yakima

I received an Official card from a Postcrossing member that is a wonderful addition to my collection....I don't have very many Plateau/inter-montaine cards so this is nice
these Yakima leaders were in Washington, 1927, perhaps to discuss tribal concerns or treaty payments etc. The Government generally preferred that leaders not come to discuss matters but to just let the local Agents take care of problems. However the Tribes often went around those Agents who they felt were not receptive to ideas or who were oppositional.

Friday, September 12, 2014

Ancient Mexico

a lovely card arrived today from Mexico showing the Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacan. Its an old site located near Mexico City. The stone city was built and occupied 100BC-800AD by an early complex culture in the north part of the Valley before Mexica people even arrived. Art and ideas spread out from this location and influenced other early societies. Today its a popular site for new age religious activity.


Thursday, September 11, 2014

Osage

A really great swap with a lovely Postcrosser in Texas brings a treat to my collection...this card is from a series that commemorates the US Civil War as experienced in Indian Territory (Oklahoma). During that time many pro-southern mixed blood tribal people who owned black slaves supported and fought for the Confederacy, but other native peoples joined the Union. Battles and militia action disrupted life in Oklahoma, causing many to flee to Texas and Kansas. I am not sure how the war impacted tribes such as the Osage so this will require additional study.
This card features men in bear claw necklaces, a symbol of strength & bravery, while their clothing is decorated with both ribbonwork and prairie style floral beadwork

The great card took a slight beating from the Post Office, but proudly shows its travel scars!

Kwagiulth canoe

a wonderful surprise card was send by a kind Postcrosser who I trade with occasionally...she visited the Royal BC Museum while on vacation to Vancouver Island and really enjoyed an exhibit of native languages. She sent this card to share her experience...it appears to be a still from the Curtis film "In the Land of the Headhunters" (later renamed "In the Land of the War Canoes").





the card text: This 60 foot ceremonial Kwagiulth canoe carries the groom and his family towards the beach to meet his bride and her family. Kolus is at the head of the canoe, the groom at the rear. The character carved on the side of the canoe is Nax wax daxw also known as the sea eagle. Photograph by Edward S. Curtis in 1914.