Israel Sgat'iin, Nisga'a chief from the Nass River

Israel Sgat'iin, Nisga'a chief from the Nass River

Fur
Chief
Nisga’a
Nass River
British Columbia
Portrait
Art
Photograph
19th century

This is a photograph of Israel Sgat’iin, a Nisga’a Chief from the Nass River, taken in the 1890s. The Chief is wearing what looks like a fur robe, implying that this fur pelt must come from an animal big enough to cover a grown human being. A range of objects are also visible in the photograph such as masks, totem poles, baskets and other pelts of fur. However, the staged photograph intends for the Chief to be at the forefront, in a stance of power. This source can provide an insight into many aspects of village life in nineteenth century British Columbia, such as, how Chiefs act, dress and are seen, the art created through woodwork, basketry and weaving, as well as religious objects used for ceremonies. It is also useful to see the different types of fur accessible by the Indians and how this contributed to the success of the fur trade.

Unknown

BC Archives, http://search-bcarchives.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/israel-sgatiin-nisgaa-chief-from-nass-river

1890s

Tejal Mistry

BC Archives

N/A

Visual - photograph

19th century British Columbia