The North American Indian

"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." In 1906, J. P. Morgan provided Edward Curtis with $75,000 to produce a series on Native Americans and he recorded tribal lore and history, and he described traditional foods, housing, garments, recreation, ceremonies, and funeral customs. Curtis's goal was to photograph and to document as much of Native American traditional life as possible before that way of life disappears. Contents: The Apache Historical Sketch Homeland and Life Mythology – Creation Myth Medicine and Medicine-men The Messiah Craze Puberty Rite Dance of the Gods The Jicarillas Home and General Customs Mythology – Creation Myth Miracle Performers Origin of Fire The Navaho Home Life, Arts, and Beliefs History Mythology – Creation Myth Miracle Performers Legend of the Happiness Chant Legend of the Night Chant Ceremonies—the Night Chant Maturity Ceremony Marriage Southern Athapascan Comparative Vocabulary