Curtis aimed to record as many Indian groups as he could, believing that Anglo culture would soon overwhelm all American Indian cultures. He felt strongly about photographing his subjects in their own settings, which often meant arduous travel. At the same time, he committed himself to using the best—and hence most expensive—printing methods available for his works.

While friends, colleagues, and the press provided some support, Curtis had to depend primarily on himself to keep the project going.

Millionaire arts patron J.P. Morgan (left) — famous for never changing his mind—was eventually swayed by the beauty of Curtis' photographs to support the North American Indian Project. Curtis won financial support from Morgan for the fieldwork portion of The North American Indian.

In exchange for $15,000 a year for five years, Morgan would receive 25 sets of the volumes and 500 prints. Curtis personally assumed the financial burden of getting the works published. He also took charge of planning and managing the expeditions.

Morgan's money covered photographic equipment, interpreters, ethnographic writers, and other field costs for The North American Indian.

Edward S. Curtis, 1906

Subscription agreement for The North American Indian, date unknown.

Prospectus for The North American Indian, 1908

Curtis handled publicity and sales of The North American Indian, soliciting individual and institutional patrons in between field trips.