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

This is Nedda Laura Parker-Birdsong, a daughter of Quanah Parker. She was beautiful.

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

This is Nedda Parker-Birdsong, Quanah Parker's daughter, I believe.

Danny Carter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Quanah Parker was the half-breed son of Cynthia Parker who was kidnapped by Comanche from white parents in Texas and lived 24 years as a Comanche before being taken back (against her will) by Texas Rangers. She was the inspiration of the John Wayne movie, "The Searchers".

Darrell Hildreth
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought Quanta Parker was the mans name, this may be his daughter, Quanah.

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

No, Quanah Parker was a Commanche chief, the son of long-time captive Cynthia Ann Parker. An amazing story well worth reading about.

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

Yes, Quannah Parker was a man. His mother was Cynthia Parker, I believe.

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

found this picture on the internet identified as Quanah Parker's daughter but id'ed as Wanada and Nedle ?

Bjorn Ivar
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Laura Needa Parker. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73126112/laura-neda-birdsong

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

one of Quanah Parker's daughter - identified in this picture on other sites as bothWanada Parker who starred in a movie and also Nedle Parker

Sheila Toothman
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not him !!! Get it right , or dont get it at all , I grew up not far from where he was ,, . Sheila M . Beavers, Toothman .

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

This is Wanada Parker (later Wanada Parker-Paige) daughter of Quanah Parker (Whose father was Peta Nocona) but Wanada was not only Quanah's daughter, she was his translator, his secretary (any correspondence with his name on it was actually written by her) she also starred in the silent movie Daughter of Dawn, available on Netflix

Maria D'Angelo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is not Quanah Parker. Quanah Parker was Cynthia Ann Parker's son. His father was Peta Nocona

Bjorn Ivar
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Laura Needa Parker. (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73126112/laura-neda-birdsonga)

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

Her beauty is enchanting and she emanates proud defiance. This photo strikes a chord in me. I love it!!!

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

Yes! He was male quite striking features. Similarities, could be his daughter. He had a few wives.

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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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