The world of Native Americans through the lens

Danny Williams, left, and George “Woogie” Watchtaker (Comanche) at the Anadarko Indian Exposition.

Anadarko, Oklahoma, ca. 1959.

“For a Love of His People: The Photography of Horace Poolaw” is a retrospective exhibition of works by photographer Horace Poolaw (Kiowa, 1906–1984).

Poolaw was an American Indian photographer photographing his community, his family and friends and other Indians.

The 80+ images and postcards will be on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in New York City through Feb. 15, 2015. More information is at the Smithsonian's website.

For the love of his people

Left to right: Lela Ware (Kiowa), Paul Zumwalt (Kiowa), and Trecil Poolaw (Kiowa).

Carnegie, Oklahoma, 1928–35.

Horace Poolaw was a man of his community and time, "For a Love of His People" is based on the Poolaw Photography Project, a research initiative established by Poolaw’s daughter Linda in 1989 at Stanford University and carried on by Nancy Marie Mithlo (Chiricahua Apache) and Tom Jones (Ho-Chunk) of the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

For the love of his people

Gus Palmer (Kiowa), left, side gunner, and Horace Poolaw (Kiowa), aerial photographer, in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress.

MacDill Field, Tampa, Fla., ca. 1944.

For the love of his people

Carnegie Indians baseball team.

Carnegie, Oklahoma, ca. 1933.

For the love of his people

Eula Mae Narcomey Doonkeen (Seminole) in the American Indian Exposition Parade.

Anadarko, Oklahoma, ca. 1952.

For the love of his people

Caption: Robert “Corky” and Linda Poolaw (Kiowa/Delaware), dressed up and posed for the photo by their father, Horace.

Anadarko, Oklahoma, ca. 1947.

For the love of his people

Caption: Left to right: Juanita Daugomah Ahtone (Kiowa), Evalou Ware Russell (center), Kiowa Tribal Princess, and Augustine Campbell Barsh (Kiowa) in the American Indian Exposition parade.

Anadarko, Oklahoma, 1941.

For the love of his people

Postcard of Linda and Bryce Poolaw (Kiowa/Delaware) at the American Indian Exposition.

Anadarko, Oklahoma, 1948.

For the love of his people

Lucy “Princess Watahwaso” Nicolar (Penobscot), third from left, Justin Poolaw (Kiowa), center right, on car, and Bruce Poolaw (Kiowa), far right during a stop at Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show on their way to New York City.

Pawnee, Oklahoma, ca. 1930.

For the love of his people

Carp and catfish caught after a flood of the Washita River. Second from left: Jasper Saunkeah (Kiowa).

Mountain View, Oklahoma, ca. 1930.

For the love of his people

Gladys Komalty (Kiowa) at the Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Pageant.

Medicine Lodge, Kansas, 1932.

For the love of his people

The deacons of Rainy Mountain Baptist Church. From left: Adolphus Goombi (Kiowa), Lester Momaday (Kiowa), Robert Goombi (Kiowa), Porter Drywater (Cherokee).

Rainy Mountain Church, Mountain View, Oklahoma, ca. 1930.

For the love of his people

Sindy Libby Keahbone (Kiowa), left, and Hannah Keahbone (Kiowa).

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, ca. 1930.

For the love of his people

Chester Lefthand (Cheyenne), takes part  in a Fancy War Dance at the Craterville Park Indian Fair.

Cache, Oklahoma, ca. 1928.

For the love of his people

Jerry Poolaw (Kiowa), on leave from duty in the Navy.

Anadarko, Oklahoma, ca. 1944.

For the love of his people

From left: Newton Poolaw (Kiowa), Jerry Poolaw (Kiowa), Elmer Thomas “Buddy” Saunkeah (Kiowa).

Mountain View, Oklahoma, ca. 1928.

For the love of his people

Powwow at Lone Bear’s dance ground.

Carnegie, Oklahoma, ca. 1945.

For the love of his people

Alfred Mamaday (Kiowa).

Mountain View, Oklahoma, ca. 1933.

For the love of his people

Funeral of Agnes Big Bow (Kiowa), wife of Abel Big Bow.

Hog Creek, Oklahoma, 1947.

For the love of his people

Horace Poolaw (Kiowa), posing for a photo during his work as an arts and crafts supervisor.

Old Town Anadarko, Oklahoma, ca. 1940.