Kalispel Couple, Wearing Traditional Dress - c. 1861

This early portrait by the Royal Engineers, and others in its series, are notable as they are some of the first photographs made of Northwest Native Americans.

Unlike many later photos of this genre, the subjects were definitely not costumed by the photographer, and the relationship between the subjects and the newcomer photographer could accurately be described as "wary". This view was likely taken near Spokane, though Kalispel territory ranged east into Idaho and Montana.

-- This photo is restored and printed by Old Oregon.