James Pratt

Photographer, Writer, Storyteller, IT networking professional

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Homesteaders – Eddy Red Eagle

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Earlier this year I was assigned to photograph a story by Oklahoma Today about Oklahoma families who lived on their family’s original land allotment when Oklahoma became a state. The story, written by my friend and awesome writer Nathan Gunter, highlighted four Oklahoma families – two with native American roots and two families with white settler descendents.

First up is the photo I took of Eddy Red Eagle, an Osage Indian living on his original family land near Barnsdall. His family first left footprints on this Oklahoma soil over 1,000 years ago. This was the opening of the story.

Eddy Red Eagle and his grandchildren opened this story written by Nathan Gunter.
Eddy Red Eagle and his grandchildren opened this story written by Nathan Gunter.

I photographed Eddy in front of the “indian church” at the back of his property. I first shot a few portraits of him, then encouraged his grandkids to join the shoot. This church is still used for Osage ceremonies.

Eddy Red Eagle is an Osage Indian who still lives on the land his great grandfather was allotted in the late 1800's. The native american church in the background is still used for Indian church ceremonies that are passed down verbally from generation to generation.
Eddy Red Eagle is an Osage Indian who still lives on the land his great grandfather was allotted in the late 1800’s. The native american church in the background is still used for Indian church ceremonies that are passed down verbally from generation to generation.
Eddy Red Eagle's grandchildren pick flowers in front of Bird Creek, which is the boundary to his family land.
Eddy Red Eagle’s grandchildren play in front of Bird Creek, which is the boundary to his family land.
Eddy Red Eagle raises cattle on the land his great grandfather was allotted in the late 1800's.
Eddy Red Eagle raises cattle on the land his great grandfather was allotted in the late 1800’s.
Eddy Red Eagle's father was a farmer and rancher on the same land where Eddie lives today.
Eddy Red Eagle’s father was a farmer and rancher on the same land where Eddie lives today.
Eddy Red Eagle's father was active in the Osage Nation and culture.
Eddy Red Eagle’s father was active in the Osage Nation and culture.
Eddy Red Eagle's grandfather.
Eddy Red Eagle’s grandfather.
Eddy Red Eagle's grandfather.
Eddy Red Eagle’s grandfather.
Not sure on this picture. I think Eddy Red Eagle's grandfather is in the picture.
Not sure on this picture. I think Eddy Red Eagle’s grandfather is in the picture.
Eddy Red Eagle's grandfather.
Eddy Red Eagle’s grandfather.
Eddy Red Eagle's grandfather.
Eddy Red Eagle’s grandfather.
Painting of Eddy Red Eagle's great grandfather, who first settled on their land in Osage County before the allotments.
Painting of Eddy Red Eagle’s great grandfather, who first settled on their land in Osage County before the allotments.

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About James Pratt

I am an Oklahoma based writer, commercial photographer, editorial photographer and adventurer based in Oklahoma City. I love telling stories about people. A motorcycle is my preferred means of travel, and I have over 5,000 hours piloting small airplanes. My editorial photography has been published in hundreds of magazines and my commercial photography has been used by dozens of companies worldwide.

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4x5 film 4x5x365 agriculture Amazon Web Services bicycle Bill Dragoo BMW Brass Ball Bobbers combine Darwin Motorcycles dirt bike drag racing Edmond El Reno film Fortinet Guthrie Ilford Delta 100 Ilford Delta Pro 100 Ilford HP5 Jeep John Deere Kawasaki Kay Pratt Kodak TMAX-100 Lexington Micha Young motorcycle New Mexico Norman Conquest Oklahoma Oklahoma City Oklahoma Living Oklahoma Living Magazine Oklahoma Today Ride Oklahoma South Canadian River Thunder Valley Raceway Tombo Racing Tommy Bolton Toyo 45A Toyo VX-125 video production wheat harvest Wrangler
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