Photograph of Chief Silver Tongue of the Houpa Tribe of Northern California.

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Born a member of the Houpa Indian tribe in California in 1880, Oscar Norton performed in public for many years as a tenor singer using the stage name Chief Silver Tongue. His stage name reflected his tribal name of “boy with the ringing voice.”

This full-length portrait shows him in a Sioux tribal costume with an eagle feather headdress and holding a peace pipe. According to his obituary, he graduated from Oregon Law School, briefly practiced law, then became a performer of indigenous and religious songs nationwide, including at the New York World’s Fair.

Price: $45.00