RELIGION GONE WRONG - William Henry Jackson & Detroit Publishing

In 1899 William Henry Jackson, founder and owner of the Detroit Publishing Company produced this photochrome image entitled "Utes - Chief Sevara and Family." The photochrome was a process for producing coloured photographic prints invented by Jackson. From the title we read here, and in everything previously Jackson had produced, he showed respect for Native Americans, which included a respect for their cultures and an honest depiction of them in his work.Jackson's image was borrowed, taken, or stolen by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Canada, the SPG, as we can see from this postcard from about 1910.  Gone is the lovely colour and gone is the respect.  The missionary arm of the Anglican Church adapted the photo into a black and white printed postcard, and re-titled the picture "A Group of Red Indians."  Additionally we are told that "The SPG has supported work in many different parts of N.W. Canada."It's an interesting transformation. From a healthy Chief's family into a generic set of indigent savages or 'Red Indians.' From an Arizona photo studio to a propaganda postcard from Ontario. From a vibrant colour image to  lifeless grayscale replacement. The images tell the story as well as the words. The Christians ran the show, enforcing their version of civilization on native peoples throughout Canada and around the globe.  But the results were far from civil.