Pipe of peace ceremony

Date

• ca. 1910

Summary

• The writing on the photograph indicates this is a "pipe of peace ceremony," though the photo depicts an early, annual gathering of UW-Madison students appropriating Native American culture on Library Mall. The popularity of such mock ceremonies resulted in demeaning stereotypes inspiring some of the original decorative features of the Memorial Union. In 1910, Native Americans were not even represented in the student body. The first Native American received a degree from UW-Madison 36 years after the event depicted in this photo. Previous description: "Pipe of peace ceremony, part of commencement, in front of the Wisconsin Historical Society building, 1910."