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Ambrotype portrait of Nakoosa Stará Moreland by Shane Balkowitsch

 Collection
Identifier: Org. Lot 1425

Scope and Contents

Collection consists of one portrait of Nakoosa Stará Moreland taken by Shane Balkowitsch on March 3, 2023. The portrait is an 8 x 10-inch ambrotype on a glass plate. The photograph, entitled “Where the Three Rivers Meet,” is plate 4608 from Balkowitsch’s “Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective" portrait series. At the time this portrait was taken, Moreland had recently married Nakeezaka Suloostu Jack, and she was eight months pregnant with their first child.

Supplemental materials related to Balkowitsch’s work and Moreland’s studio sessions were also donated with the portrait. These include six digital copies of additional ambrotype portraits taken of Moreland in two separate studio sessions on July 23, 2021, and March 3, 2023. There are also two digital copies of ambrotype portraits of Moreland and her husband, Nakeezaka Suloostu Jack, and one digital copy of an ambrotype diptych of Moreland and Jack. Additionally, there are 11 color digital photographs taken behind the scenes during Moreland’s studio visit in 2021, four color digital photographs taken behind the scenes by Deidric Franklund during Moreland’s studio visit in 2023, and two short digital films taken by Moreland of ambrotypes during the developing process. Also included with the donation is one signed copy of "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective Volume 2" by Shane Balkowitsch.

Dates

  • Creation: 2021-2023

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Biographical Note

Nakoosa Stará Moreland is from Salem, Oregon. She is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and descends from the Umpqua, Rogue River, Chasta (Shasta), Kalapuya, and Klickitat tribes. She is married to Nakeezaka Suloostu Jack, who is from Fort Hall, Idaho. He is an enrolled member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and descends from the Shoshone and Bannock tribes, Diné (Navajo), Coastal Salish, Colville, Coeur d’Alene, and Spokane tribes.

Biographical Note

Shane Balkowitsch is an American photographer specializing in wet plate photography. He owns Nostalgic Glass Wet Plate Studio in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Extent

0.3 Cubic Feet (1 slim document case)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Collection consists of one 8 x 10-inch ambrotype on a glass plate of Nakoosa Stará Moreland taken by Shane Balkowitsch, one copy of Balkowitsch's book, "Northern Plains Native Americans: A Modern Wet Plate Perspective Volume 2," and digital photographs taken behind the scnenes during Moreland's studio sessions.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Researchers may access the ambrotype with supervision from library staff to ensure safe handling of the glass plate. Low- and high-resolution copies of the digital files can be accessed in the reading room at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library with prior arrangement. Contact library staff for assistance.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Shane Balkowitsch, June 2023 (RL2023-027).

Related Materials

The State Historical Society of North Dakota State Archives holds a larger collection of related works by Shane Balkowitsch: Shane Balkowitsch wet collodion ambrotype portraits, 2014-P-025.

Title
Guide to the ambrotype portrait of Nakoosa Stará Moreland by Shane Balkowitsch
Status
Completed
Author
Laura Cray
Date
2023
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository

Contact:
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240