Beginning in 1892, the United States government brought reindeer from Asia and Europe into Alaska as a new food source for the Native Peoples. The idea was to replace hunting with herding. Although the reindeer multiplied until the 1930s, the experiment was not a success. The imported reindeer had to be fenced, fed, and protected from predators. It made more sense for the Native people to get meat and skins from caribou that could look after themselves.

In this photo, taken around 1905 by Frank H. Nowell, a reindeer stands in the snow, near a sled. Nowell took many photos in the Nome area of Alaska. Nowell spent several years in Alaska during the Nome gold rush.

Original photograph: ca. 1905. Copied or acquired after 1905 by Webster & Stevens
Webster & Stevens number: 1621