Dental School Tour
A Guided Tour Through History and Vision
A Journey Through Photography, Culture, and Exploration
Introduction
Welcome to this immersive tour, where history, photography, and human stories come to life. Across multiple floors, we explore pivotal moments captured through the camera of Fr. Don Doll, SJ. Ranging from the Lewis and Clark expedition to the resilience of the Sioux Nation, from the frozen landscapes of the Bering Sea to the stories of refugees from all over the world. Each floor holds a unique chapter of this journey.
Let's begin.
First Floor: The Legacy of Lewis and Clark
These panoramas of the American West allow us to step back to the year 2000. It was then that I became aware of the impending 2004 bicentennial of Lewis and Clark's expedition. This historic journey, commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson, sought to explore the newly acquired western territories of the United States. To immerse myself in their experience, I traveled extensively-canoeing 50 miles of the Missouri River below Great Falls, Montana, camping along the riverbanks, and retracing their steps from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean. The White Cliffs area in Montana, a favorite of the explorers, became one of the highlights of my journey.
Second Floor: A Life in Black and White
At the top of the stairs, two black-and-white images stand out: Sewel Makes Room for Them and Hunters of the Bering Sea. These images mark my early work in photography. They showcase the discipline of working in classic black-and-white photography-before digital cameras, when every shot had to be intentional.
Dean's Conference Room: The Wounded Knee Ride
The Wounded Knee Memorial Ride holds deep historical significance. In 1990, on the fourth memorial ride marking the 1890 massacre of 300 Lakota men, women, and children, I stood witness to a powerful movement. This moment solidified my decision to document the leaders of the Sioux Nation across 15 reservations. My book, Vision Quest, emerged from these travels as a tribute to the men and women who have shaped their communities through resilience and tradition.
WOUNDED KNEE RIDE - Wounded Knee, South Dakota - The “Healing of Memories Ride” on December 29, 1990 commemorated the 1890 ride of Chief Big Foot’s band when they left Bismarck, North Dakota the night Sitting Bull was killed. Searching for Red Cloud who was leading his people in the Ghost Dance, Big Foot’s band encamped at what became Wounded Knee where most were massacred by the 7th Cavalry and buried there. After a four-day, sub-zero ride, Arval Looking Horse and Virgil Kills Straight lead the riders into Wounded Knee, South Dakota.
Third Floor: Portraits of Vision Quest
On this floor, we delve into the lives of remarkable individuals featured in Vision Quest. This section bridges the past with the present, tying together themes of exploration, survival, and storytelling.
Fourth Floor: A Tribute to Humanity
This set of photographs pays homage to The Family of Man, a groundbreaking exhibition curated by Edward Steichen at the Museum of Modern Art. His post-World War II vision was simple yet profound: to show that, despite cultural differences, we are all one human family. This series of prints documents my 20 years of travel with Jesuit Refugee Services documenting and sharing the stories of refugees from all over the world.
Final Stop: The Clinic Floor
The tour concludes with an image of the confluence of the Maria and Missouri Rivers, walking up the river for 70 miles was fitting metaphor for the continuous journey of discovery and reflection.
CONFLUENCE OF MARIA & MISSOURI RIVERS - Near Loma, Montana - This area along the Lewis and Clark trail is referred to as ‘Decision Point’. The Corp of Discovery camped for ten days while deciding which river would lead them to the northwest passage. After Captain Lewis walked seventy miles up the Marias River, all 39 men agreed to follow his decision to navigate the clearer water of the Missouri River which he reasoned was coming from the mountains. Days later they ran into the seven waterfalls at Great Falls, Montana. It took a full month to maneuver around the falls.
Closing Thoughts
This exhibition is more than a collection of photographs; it is a chronicle of human perseverance, cultural identity, and historical memory. Thank you for taking this journey. May these images inspire a deeper appreciation for history, resilience, and the interconnectedness of our world.