Hash-Nash-Shut, a Wasco Indian chief, in the year 1906

Available on my print shop on Redbubble. Licencing questions? Email me!

Hash-Nash-Shut was originally from the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla but married into the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Before becoming the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs in 1938, the three tribes; Wasco, Warm Springs, and Paiute, lived along the Columbia River and Cascade Mountains. They all spoke different languages and had their own customs.

The Warm Springs and Wasco bands gave up ownership rights to a 10,000,000-acre (40,000 km2) area, which they had inhabited for over 10,000 years, in exchange for basic health care, education, and other forms of assistance as outlined by the Treaty with the Tribes of Middle Oregon (June 25, 1855).

Apart from the Bald Eagle feathers in his hair, and white mink furs wrapped around his braids, Hash-Nash-Shut is wearing what seems to be a trade blanket. Trade blankets were initially manufactured for trade to native tribes in exchange for beaver furs and other goods at established trading posts throughout the Western United States and Canada. The period between 1880 and 1930 is considered the golden age of the Native American trade blanket. There were five American companies that dominated this market, with Pendleton Woolen Mills being the most famous. They are still in business to this day.

From the outset, Pendleton stood apart from other manufacturers, as it was established to deal solely with Native American trade and was the first company to utilize Native Americans as advisers in developing its designs. The Umatilla and Cayuse tribes were among Pendleton's initial customers, and for this reason, Pendleton originally set up shop on the Old Umatilla Reservation in Oregon.

Although the earliest of these blankets were very basic, incorporating only blocks, rectangles and crosses, the introduction of the Jacquard loom in the early 1900's revolutionized the industry and allowed for much more intricate designs and the characteristic zigzag patterns. (via chestnuthall.com)

With this knowledge, we can assume Hash-Nash-Shut’s blanket with its rectangular pattern was one of the earlier designs.

The Umatilla and Warm Springs reservations is dark red/dark blue and the land they ceded to the United States is light red/light blue. The Columbia Basin is dark tan.

The Deschutes River with Columbia River visible in the background. Part of the historic homeland of the Warm Springs Tribes.

Warm Springs prairie with Mt Jefferson in the background.

Gifford had two more photographs taken of Hash-Nash-Shut, seen in his traditional clothing.