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These rare and beautiful vintage photos of Native American girls were taken between the late 1800s and the turn of the 19th Century, yet despite being over a hundred years old, many of the old photos are still in mint condition.

Women were well respected in traditional Native American tribe culture, and although they generally had different roles from men, the Native American women often had the same rights as their male counterparts. They usually owned the home along with everything in it, and in some tribes, while the chief was a man, it was the women who were responsible for electing him. Because women's activities were considered central to the welfare of the community in the Native American history, this gave them a certain level of social, political and economic power, and even today approximately 25% of Native American tribes recognized by the federal government of the United States are led by women.

Scroll down below to check these beautiful old photos for yourself! (h/t: vintage everyday)

#1

Marcia Pascal, Half-cherokee, Daughter Of U.s. Army Officer George W. Paschal, 1880s

Marcia Pascal, Half-cherokee, Daughter Of U.s. Army Officer George W. Paschal, 1880s

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#2

O-o-be, The Kiowas, 1894

O-o-be, The Kiowas, 1894

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Debbie D.
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8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is one of my favorite photos in this lineup. It's great to see a really old photo with a smile, let alone one showing teeth! I was told that because shutter speeds were slower in the early days of photography that photographers required their subjects to stand still for long periods of time to expose the image to the film negative, hence so many photos from the 1800's to 1900's without smiles in them!

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#4

Native American Girl, 1870-1900

Native American Girl, 1870-1900

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#5

Gertrude Three Finger, Cheyenne, 1869-1904, By William E. Irwin

Gertrude Three Finger, Cheyenne, 1869-1904, By William E. Irwin

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#6

Hattie Tom, Apache, 1899, By Frank A. Rinehart

Hattie Tom, Apache, 1899, By Frank A. Rinehart

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#7

Unidentified Native American Girl, Lakota, 1890

Unidentified Native American Girl, Lakota, 1890

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Cesi Baca
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Her pipe bone breastplate and bone earrings are awesome. Young girls usually didn't wear things so elaborate. Maybe she was the daughter of someone important.

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#9

Native American Girl In Traditional Dress

Native American Girl In Traditional Dress

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#11

Hopi Girl, 1895

Hopi Girl, 1895

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#13

A Young Ute Woman, 1880-1900

A Young Ute Woman, 1880-1900

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#14

A Kiowa Girl, 1892

A Kiowa Girl, 1892

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Jude
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the same girl on the left in #15, though she doesn't look the same. In #15, pen has been added which ruined it. I'd never have known it's the same girl except clothing, footwear, belt and jewelry are all the same along with hair. She's beautiful here.

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#15

Pretty Nose, Cheyenne, 1878, By L. A. Huffman

Pretty Nose, Cheyenne, 1878, By L. A. Huffman

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#16

A Girl At Taos Pueblo, 1895, By H.s. Poley

A Girl At Taos Pueblo, 1895, By H.s. Poley

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Chris Miilu
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I visited that Pueblo; their sacred places were in the mountains behind the Pueblo.

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#17

Quanah Parker (Nocona), Comanche, 1848-1911

Quanah Parker (Nocona), Comanche, 1848-1911

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#18

Hopi Girls, 1900, By Carl Werntz

Hopi Girls, 1900, By Carl Werntz

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Yvonne Bernal
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This was the tribal hairstyle for women was the elaborate squash blossom or butterfly whorls worn by Hopi maidens

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#19

Lizzie Long Wolf As A Performer In Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, 1886

Lizzie Long Wolf As A Performer In Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, 1886

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Yvonne Bernal
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Interesting that even though she was in Buffalo Bill's side shows, there isn't really much written about her.

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#20

Isabelle Perico Enjady, Chiricahuah Apache Prisoner Of War, 1886-1914

Isabelle Perico Enjady, Chiricahuah Apache Prisoner Of War, 1886-1914

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#21

Hattie Tom, Chiricahua Apache, 1899, By Frank A. Rinehart

Hattie Tom, Chiricahua Apache, 1899, By Frank A. Rinehart

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#22

Native American Teen Girls, 1870-1900

Native American Teen Girls, 1870-1900

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#23

Inusk, Kickapoo Chief's Daughter, By Lenny And Jordan, 1880-1890

Inusk, Kickapoo Chief's Daughter, By Lenny And Jordan, 1880-1890

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#24

Julie Nelson, 1886

Julie Nelson, 1886

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#26

Kiowa Girl, 1890

Kiowa Girl, 1890

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#27

Hopi Girl On Her Wedding Day, 1900

Hopi Girl On Her Wedding Day, 1900

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#28

Amie And Carrie, Kiawah, By George A. Addison,1895

Amie And Carrie, Kiawah, By George A. Addison,1895

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LB
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such beautiful clothing! I was born at Ft. Sill in the 60s and when a girl all I wanted was moccasins and native clothing. It was all just so beautiful! Of course, tie dye was good too.

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#29

Hopi Girls, 1900, By Frederick Monsen

Hopi Girls, 1900, By Frederick Monsen

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#30

Alice, Unknown Tribe (possibly Cayuse, Walla Walla, Or Umatilla), 1900

Alice, Unknown Tribe (possibly Cayuse, Walla Walla, Or Umatilla), 1900

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#32

Arapaho Girl Only Child Saved Out Of Sand Creek Massacre, 1870-1880, By Mckinney, Albert S.

Arapaho Girl Only Child Saved Out Of Sand Creek Massacre, 1870-1880, By Mckinney, Albert S.

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Yvonne Bernal
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is interesting how back in the day they would only color in one or two items of a photo

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#36

Susan Bullock-tibbitts, 1895

Susan Bullock-tibbitts, 1895

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