Indians on the Shore of Gull Lake near Columba

Indians on the Shore of Gull Lake near Columba by Sarah Thorp Heald in 1931. Crow Wing County Historical Society. Oil on Panel. 

This painting from Sarah Thorp Heald shows the sun setting over Gull Lake. This piece leaves us with a lot of unknowns. The man on the right sits, waiting, and looking at the water. His headdress indicates that he might be a chief. He holds his bow in one hand, upright, two arrows in the other. Past him, another figure puts their hand on their brow, possibly trying to see who is approaching. At this point, it is unclear who is in the canoes on the lake or whether they are friend or foe. This uncertainty reflects the period in which it was created when there was a lot of unrest between different Native American Tribes and Native Americans and European Immigrants and their descendants.