Reading the Photographs of the Carlisle Indian School

Presented by Kate Theimer

For many people, the iconic photographs taken by John Nicolas Choate of students at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School have become synonymous with the school, and in some cases, with Native Americans at all non-reservation boarding schools.  However, looking at the larger body of images of the school and its students shows how inextricably linked photography was to the management and history of the school throughout its history.  By examining what was captured by photographers and what was not, this talk will provide a fresh interpretation of the Carlisle Indian School’s history.  (Part of Indigenous People’s Month).