Native American History and education project

Collection

Identifier: Collection 496

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection is comprised primarily of newsletters, correspondence, bibliographies, histories, and other educational documents related to Native American life in the 1970s.

Dates

Majority of material found within 1969 - 1979

Biographical / Historical

The bulk of the items in this collection originated in connection to work done in Grand Rapids, Michigan on a project called the Indian Oral History Project. This collection of oral histories is also held by the Grand Rapids Public Library (Collection 65) and contains grant-funded work that led to the collection of oral histories as well as the publication of a book.

The research guides and bibliographies (including one by the Bentley Historical Society in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the Grand Rapids Public Library in Grand Rapids, Michigan) provide summaries of literature published about and/or by Native Americans. There are also a few examples of correspondence between representatives from Native American groups and other organizations, many of which were in Grand Rapids, Michigan or Lansing, Michigan (e.g., meeting minutes from the Commission on Indian Affairs).

Extent

0.75 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains materials related to activities of several Native American groups in the Midwest (primarily Michigan) during the 1970s. Primarily, this collection is comprised of newsletters, pamphlets, and selected resource guides (e.g., bibliographies) around Native American life and literature about Native American tribes in the late 20th century. Among the tribes represented in this collection are the Chippewa, Ojibwe, Potawatomi, Dakota, and others. In addition, there are also some collected papers from organizations such as the Michigan Commission on Indian Affairs, the National Indian Education Association, and the Minnesota Historical Society. A researcher wishing to understand more about Native American life would be interested in viewing activities around these organizations and may also want to see the newsletters, a few of which are in Native languages.