Young Chief, Cayuse Indian

Olin Levi Warner

1891; cast 1906 · Bronze · The American Wing

"Young Chief, Cayuse Indian" was one of seven portraits of Indigenous Americans that Warner modeled in 1891 while in the Pacific Northwest. After the death of Poor Crane (Ya-Tin-Ee-Ah-Witz), chief of the Cayuse, Young Chief, who was living on the Umatilla Reservation, became the new leader, serving until his death in 1901. In contrast to Poor Crane, Seltice, and the other Native elders whom Warner depicted, Young Chief represented a younger generation who grew up experiencing the full effects of Euro-American encroachment and assimilation on their communities.

Artist

Olin Levi Warner

Date

1891; cast 1906

Medium

Bronze

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick S. Wait, 1906