John William Thompson was a retired Seattle high school botany teacher in the 1950's. He was an avid photographer looking for subjects for an educational series he was developing. When he went to visit his sister in Toppenish, WA, he learned that tribal elders from nearby reservations had assembled on the Yakama Reservation to observe the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of 1855. This was the Treaty that established Reservations for the Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest. At the historic gathering he had the opportunity to meet tribal leaders and to gain their permission to photograph their lives that still was little known to other residents of the region. Mr. Thompson's purpose was to find images that were interesting and authentic to document the lives of the Native Americans of Washington State at the middle of the 20th century. With the subject's permission, he photographed Native people at longhouse celebrations, salmon feasts, summer encampments, in traditional dress and harvesting roots and berries. The photographs portray the rich fellowship of tribal gatherings on the Columbia Plateau in the 1950s. Mr. Thompson also created many photographs of the Pacific Northwest that includes sites of interest, art and industries.
From the description of J.W. Thompson collection of photographs and slides of Washington State, 1950-1968. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 191103682
