Comments on: The Story of Cigar Store Indians

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 15:20:11 +0000

In reply to Mihku.

Thank you for posting. The story of Chief Standing Bear goes into a lot that happened: https://americacomesalive.com/chief-standing-bears-victory-for-civil-rights/

By: Mihku

Mihku — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 14:17:22 +0000

How very interesting that those who have thus far responded to this article feel the need to either describe Indigenous people as “noble” or include disclaimers that they respect us. For those too lazy or ignorant to read a book, symbols like this are social and political markers of dominance, from a society that IMMIGRATED here and stole Indigenous land, systematically removed resources to ship back to Europe, and enslaved both Indigenous and African peoples to work on sugar and tobacco plantations. Our tobacco was found to be so desirable that a whole industry grew up around it. Any number of symbols could have been chosen to indicate a smoke shop. But Settlers chose a carved iteration of our actual bodies and visage. And it is offensive. The facts of history cannot be denied, you see, just because it makes you uncomfortable. But perhaps your readers aren’t literate enough to educate themselves on those facts.

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 13:12:02 +0000

In reply to Dawn Emerick.

Thank you so much! That’s a fascinating perspective, and yes, I think barber shops were a place for men to gather…I’d never thought of the cigar store Indian as a sentinal for free speech! Excellent information…thank you!

By: Dawn Emerick

Dawn Emerick — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 09:27:02 +0000

I recently came across an old magazine article written in 1955 with illustrations of cigar store Indians. It begins “every cigar store Indian was a sentinel for free speech. Every barber shop was a listening post.” Apparently, these as symbols already belonged to an earlier time. The author calls them “male sanctums” where lively discussions happened, providing “a forum of public opinion”.

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 16:40:25 +0000

In reply to M. Scott.

Thank you! I’m often surprised, too, when I look into these things. It’s always interesting, and yes, history is important–and fun!
Have a good weekend.
Kate

By: M. Scott

M. Scott — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 14:12:36 +0000

I greatly enjoyed learning the real story behind cigar store Indians! I never knew this interesting history! I knew that Native Americans introduced Europeans to tobacco but I didn’t realize they supplied them with it, too! And I didn’t know that ship carvers were the artists! I really learned some great information, history is so important, thank you!

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 13:55:00 +0000

In reply to Dean Strazi. How thoughtful of you to be concerned about that...Some of our country's symbols were not thought of as insults. So yes enjoy the fact that it was a "tobacconist" sign for people who might not be able to read.

By: Dean Strazi

Dean Strazi — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 18:04:57 +0000

Thanks for allowing me to learn about the origin of the cigar store Indian / you showed that it’s not at any way disrespect to the American Indian/ I always wanted one an now that I know the history I can have one in my house with the knowledge to pass on to whoever is interested/

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Sun, 09 Jan 2022 02:15:18 +0000

In reply to P. Bolton.

Thank you so much! If you looked around my site, I have tried to be inclusive and respectful of all people. But as you noted, the cigar store Indian is “what it is…” There’s no need for another description, partly because today no one would go that route for advertising.
Thanks for posting.

By: P. Bolton

P. Bolton — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 22:51:06 +0000

Thank you for the history of cigar store Indians. Very informative. And… thank you for not making it a “politically correct “ kind of issue. I respect Native Americans & their history. The inclusion of an Indian carving in a cigar store or in my home in no way is derogatory of these noble people and they should be proud of to have a historical representation as advertising or art.
Again thank you.