Aw-Ke-Wen-Yee, known as Cold Man and identified on the reverse as chief of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Chippewas, is depicted in a studio stereoview produced by Martin's Gallery of Stereoscopic Views, St. Paul, Minnesota, in August 1864. He is seated before a plain backdrop, and the session carries the hallmarks of a formal diplomatic or delegation portrait. The image is among the earlier documented studio portraits of a named Ojibwe leader made in St. Paul.

He wears a dark trade-cloth coat over a woven sash or bandolier bag, with long fringed leggings and beaded moccasins visible below. A large silver peace medal hangs at his chest, a beaded strap crosses his torso, and upright feathers are secured in a wrapped headband. A long-stemmed pipe tomahawk rests against his left leg, extending to the patterned carpet at his feet.

Martin's Gallery of Stereoscopic Views operated at 315 Third Street, Upper Town, St. Paul, and served as an agent for the London Stereoscopic Company, Upton's Minnesota Stereographs, and Carbutt's North-West views. The reverse bears the studio's printed label alongside a manuscript inscription reading "Aw-Ke-Wen-Yee (Cold Man) Chief of Lac Courte Orille Band of Chippewas, St. Paul Minn. August 1864," with a catalog notation of "L31.157 / 2.35" in purple ink on the left panel.