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Historical Significance and Provenance
This museum-quality large format photograph pair documents a vital moment of cultural presence and resilience for the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. Captured by regional photographer Daniel L Johnson, these original chemical prints chronicle the official Menominee delegation visiting the city of Oshkosh, WI during its highly publicized Semi- Centennial celebration in 1903.
Rather than the standard small-scale postcards widely distributed by the Johnson Post Card Works, these rare artifacts are master sized 7.5\" x 10\" and 7.8\" x 10\" presentation prints on authentic, fibrous antique photographic paper. This format provides excellent clarity and tonal depth, making them highly desirable to serious collectors of Native American ephemera, Great Lakes tribal history, and early American photography.
Subject Breakdown and Tribal Lineage
The portraits depict prominent leaders, family members, and elders of the Algonquin-speaking Menominee Nation (Mamaceqtaw). Notably, the lineage directly connects to Chief Oshkosh, the head chief who successfully negotiated the permanent preservation of the tribe\'s ancestral homeland along the Wolf River for thousands of years.
Photograph 1: The studio group portrait
This image features fourteen identified tribal members displaying an extraordinary blend of intricate traditional Woodlands regalia and late- Victorian Western dress:
Standing row- (left to right) Adell Gathier Neff, Peter Lamotte, Perotte, Joe Gauthier, Acquinnie Oshkosh, John Gauthier, and Louis Chemon-Amour.
Middle Row- (left to right) Thomas Hog, Mrs. Neopit Oshkosh holding her young child Tom Oshkosh, Chief Neopit Oshkosh (son of historic Chief Oshkosh), and Moses Corn.
Seated front row- (left to right) Mary Warrington, Mrs. Peter LaMotte, and Agnes Corn.
Photograph 2: The Outdoor Festival Gathering
This comparison image shows the delegates gathered outdoors during the Oshkosh parade festivities. Prominently pictured from left to right are: Thomas Hog (holding a ceremonial staff), Moses Corn, Perotte, Acquinnie Oshkosh (wearing a specialized head dress historically tied to the leadership line), Peter Lamotte, and famed tribal historian John Valentine Saterlee.
Key Artifacts and Handwritten Annotation
The authenticity of this pair is reinforced by historical pencil notations written on the reverse backing, calling attention to two critical cultural items visible in the group portrait:
1.) \"Wearing the Lincoln Peace Medal.\" This highlights a large silver medal worn around the neck of the leadership line. The 1862 Abraham Lincoln Indian Peace Medal was a vital diplomatic gift presented by the US government to tribal leaders to certify peaceful alliances.
2.) \"Not traditional/ bowl & dice/ women front row.\" This note identifies the traditional Bowl and Dice game (kas ka waneh) held in the lap of Mary Warrington on the far left of the front row. This sacred, ancient dice- scoring game was historically managed and played exclusively by Indigenous women of the Great Lakes region. (Note: A later date of 1927 was also pencilled on the back by a past collector, though institutional masters confirm this exact session took place in 1903.)
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