In Conversation: Catlin’s ‘Vanishing Indians’ and the politics of Indian agency

Native Studies scholars explore the influence of Catlin’s portraits alongside the responses of 19th century Native American intellectuals. How did institutions like the Smithsonian use Catlin's imagery to establish the narrative of the vanishing Indian? And how did contempory Native Americans such as Pequot preacher William Apess or Ojibwe interpreter Maungwudaus seek to subtly challenge and subvert the romantic and racist stereotypes in popular culture? With academics Dr Jacqueline Fear-Segal, Reader at the School of American Studies at University of East Anglia, Dr David Stirrup, Director of the Centre for American Studies and Senior Lecturer in American Literature at University of Kent and Dr Rebecca Tillet, Senior Lecturer in American Literature and Culture, Founding Member and Treasurer of the Native Studies Research Network, UK at the School of American Studies, University of East Anglia.

Part of the George Catlin: American Indian Portraits season of events.