Charles Bird King: Young Omahaw, War Eagle, Little Missouri, and Pawnees 1821
Here they are, my childhood heroes, the Native Americans. I grew up with J.F. Cooper’s romantic stories from the prairies, about the white settlers and the Indians, British soldiers, and the wonderful nature of the American colonies. I had an Indian name, Spring Breeze, played scenes out of the Big Indian Book, and created my own stories as well. In my tales Indians always won. In time, I learned more about them and how bloody and sad their history was. I wished I could turn my childish fantasy into reality so the Indians could live happily ever after.
King’s painting depicts them as dignified, strong warriors, proud men of their nation as I am sure they were. Young Omahaw, War Eagle, Little Missouri, and more Native American chiefs gathered in Washington D.C. to sign a peace treaty. They hoped they could keep their lands and live there in peace with white people.
The chiefs went to meet the President in their best outfits, glass bead necklaces, big hoop earrings, eagle feathers and red paint on their heads; all things that in their traditions showed their power and high rank but in white people’s eyes may have been only worthless junks, the foolish parade of savages. Yet they are very solemn looking and noble to me.
Chief War Eagle -I do not even know how he got his name, because War Eagle’s whole life was about keeping peace- and his fellow prairie chiefs emerge from the dark background with their red hair and similarly impressive eagle noses. They look strong-boned, stern guys whom I would not want to go against, but if respected they would be a decent party.
The chiefs look a bit like the granite presidents of Mount Rushmore, do they not?
