31 Jul Images of the West: Silhouettes of Crow

Crow Fair, known as the Tipi Capital of the World, is an unmatched cultural gathering in Crow Agency, Montana. The sheer volume of attendees speaks to the event’s popularity and is a testament to the resilience of the Crow (Apsáalooke) people.

During Crow Fair, dancers enter the arbor to form a massive circle moving in a clockwise motion. This honors the Creator and the cycle of life.

This year marks the 107th anniversary of parading, rodeo, and powwow, all happening August 14–16. More than 1,000 tipis will rise up on the banks of the Little Bighorn River. Children will crisscross the roadways on their ponies, and smoke will rise from the camps. Visitors will have the opportunity to watch the parade, Indian relays, an Ultimate Warrior competition, and rodeo.

The sacred eagle feather adorned on a dancer’s head typically represents status within her community, having served in the military or accomplishing a brave act or deed.

The Crow Dance Arbor at the center of the fairgrounds is a circular wooden structure designed to hold large crowds. Inside, onlookers use Pendleton blankets, folded and taped down to the risers, to hold their spots for viewing the powwow, an integral part of Native American culture. Generations of song and dance come together in full motion each evening. The summer’s heat is tamed by the arbor’s shade, the setting sun, and strawberry lemonade.The drum welcomes the dancers as they carry with them their ancestors’ traditions. Fringe sways to the beat. Bells chime in unison. It is a photographer’s dream.

A statuesque figure exudes quiet strength and dignity. The repetition of her steps in conjunction with the beat of the drum is hypnotizing.

Fancy Dancers are best known for demonstrating intricate spins, turns, and jumps. Regalia is as complex as the dance, consisting of a bustle, headdress fashioned from two eagle feathers secured by porcupine and deer-tail hair, a fully beaded bodice with matching apron, moccasins, bells strapped below the knee, and armband cuffs. A coup stick whirls in hand while ribbons fly wildly.

This cultural event is an absolute must for me to photograph each year. Last year was no exception. I arrived intending to capture the proceedings differently than I had in the past.

A Fancy Shawl dancer mimics the wings of a butterfly. She extends her arms wide and glides and twirls gracefully. The shawl is brightly colored with long fringe, often adorned with sequins to catch the light. This dance showcases the beauty, fancy footwork, and stamina of the dancer.

I positioned myself low to the ground and shot toward the marbled sky. I applied low ISO, high aperture, and a fast shutter. This combined with warm lighting at dusk, allowing for the perfect opportunity to capture some stunning silhouettes. Timing is key, as the break between the dancers creates negative space, providing necessary depth to the images. The distinct outlines of the dancers’ regalia and sharp movements are pronounced, but with this technique, facial details are often lost. I applied high-contrast black-and-white to further remove distraction, inviting the viewer to use their imagination.

Crow Fair is one of the largest Northern Native American gatherings in the country. Thousands flock to participate and take in the sights.

A storyteller through still images, Erika Haight combines a bold and clean perspective of the camera, using negative space and framing to elicit a strong emotional response. Her work is both modern and timeless — seeking to be historically significant in the context of our times.