ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Photography by indigenous peoples of the Americas

Hey there, do you know what photography is? It's a way of taking pictures using a special type of camera. Now, some people who are indigenous to various parts of the United States and Canada have been taking pictures themselves, and that's called photography by indigenous peoples!

Indigenous peoples are people who belong to the original groups that lived in North and South America before other people came and started taking over their lands. They have their own unique cultures, traditions, and ways of seeing and experiencing the world around them. These cultures and ways of life are very important to them and they like to capture them through photos.

Photography by indigenous peoples captures their everyday lives, their traditions, and their struggles. It helps them tell their own stories and show the world who they are. They may take pictures of ceremonies, dances, or other cultural events, or they may document their experiences with social and political issues affecting their communities.

One famous indigenous photographer was Edward S. Curtis, who took photos of Native Americans over a hundred years ago. He wanted to show the world what life was like for them and help people understand their culture.

Today, there are many indigenous photographers and organizations that promote photography by indigenous peoples. They want to show their unique perspective to the world and challenge stereotypes about their communities. It's important to respect their work and their cultures, and to appreciate the beauty and diversity of indigenous communities through their photos.