Analyzing a Photograph of a Treaty Council

In this activity, students will analyze a photograph of a nineteenth century Treaty Council taken by Alexander Gardner and consider what it portrays about the era in which it was taken and the event that it depicts. Work with students through photograph analysis, discussing representation of the subjects and focus of the image.

This activity can be used in conjunction with lessons on treaties, Westward Expansion, and American Indians, as well as a component in discussion around representation of different communities, including Native Americans, throughout history. For grades 7-12. Approximate time needed is 30 minutes.

As with any primary source analysis, ask students to go through the following progression, as outlined in the activity:

• Meet the document.
• Observe its parts.
• Try to make sense of it.
• Use it as historical evidence.

Using the activity questions, lead students through the photo analysis. Then conduct an open class discussion about the era in which the photograph was taken and importance of a treaty council. You may wish to point out that many treaties were not honored, including the Fort Laramie Treaty of 4/29/1868, and legal battles regarding its terms continued into the twentieth century.