Sami people on reindeer drive, Seattle, 1898

• Main Author: Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Subjects: Costumes > Sami; Sami (European people); Mohai; Norway; sami; Alaska; Siberia
• Online Access: http://cdm16786.contentdm.oclc.org:80/cdm/ref/collection/imlsmohai/id/1226

In 1892, the United States government started bringing reindeer from Siberia into Alaska as a new food source for the native peoples. In 1898, the government brought in Norwegian reindeer, along with Sami herdsmen and their families. They stopped in Seattle to wait for a ship to Alaska. Some Sami remained in Alaska, while others eventually returned to Seattle or home to Norway. The Sami were formerly called Lapplanders. Caption on border: Asahel Curtis, Commercial Photographer, 625 Colman Block, Seattle. Handwritten on mount: Lapps who brought reindeer - drive to Alaska. Caption by MOHAI staff. 1 lantern slide: color; 2 1/4 x 3 in.