© Michael Heller

A PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE

Indian Life

In spite of the dispute over aerial photographs of one of New Mexico's Indian pueblos, I maintained a good relationship whith the people who were the first residents of the area. The pueblo people of New Mexico are an agrarian race that some think are decendents of the Anasazi, the ancient ones, who inhabited the area before the arrival of the Spanish in 1540. Indian philosophy is based on aconcept of equality, a concept divtates one should not strive to rise above his brothers. Area Indian pueblos are each known for their artistic skills. The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts holds the annual Indian Market each third weekend in August, on the Plaza at Santa Fe. Some Indians refuse to allow photographs to be made of them, others do not mind at all. Some pueblos, like Santo Domingo, are off limits to photographers, others like Taos, generate a substancial portion of their income from tourist entry fees and photo permits. When in doubt, the best thing to do is ask. I have seen big Indian "bouncers" confiscate film and then it's their court that you will appear in.

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