Transcription of interview (See CD 5 A in Box 5). Tape 5 A, Side 1. , 9/22/2008
File — translation missing: en.enumerations.container_type.container: Box 1, Folder: 13
Scope and Contents
Notes taken from transcription. Lee and Ramona at Laguna, discussing the history of the Pueblos just after the 1680 Revolt some of the northern Pueblos went to live at Acoma, for safety, but left later about 1690s, some moved to the Laguna area because of the lake there. Pueblos at Laguna asked for a padre to come out and built the church, in earlier years small population, epidemic, but increase in the population of the Pueblos, better health care. Lee remembers the small numbers of people at the Laguna fiestas, late 1930s early 1940s, Navajos, came in covered wagons, built camp fires, stayed for several days, trading, visiting, camp in the red rocks, Canoncito, Tahashile, made parade of horses and wagons into Laguna, Lee’s photo Last Wagons, 1954, were stopped in front of his family trading post getting supplied before they left for home. Last time the wagons came was 1954, no more. Lee describes changes that came during World War II, 1941, Navajos serving in war, shortage of goods, were more mobile, married wives from different tribes, worked for lettuce, carrot gardens in Bluewater, so came to Laguna fiesta in their trucks for just one night and left, chance to get together. Lee returned to the Laguna Fiesta, tells how other Rio Grande Pueblo tribes also came on horseback, not in wagons. He describes the biggest fiesta was 1937 or 1938, when so many Navajos came in wagons, camps, fires, cooking coffee, mutton, and the Navajos put on Squaw Dance, drums, in front of the Laguna church at midnight danced until morning. Last big Laguna fiesta was 1954, because the Navajos started the Navajo Tribal Fair, held just before the Laguna Fiesta, to have their own event. Lee said during the Laguna fiesta some of the Navajos got spread out and in trouble, too. New Mexico State Fair started in 1938 too said Ramona. Lee said when he was in High School he went to the 1953 State Fair, was one of the official photographers for the fair, photo of Lee and George Q. on back of a little scooter to get around. Lee’s comments on the Gallup Intertribal Fair, used to be big, but declining, poor management. Lee took photos in 2007 and 2008. He used to go to the Intertribal with his parents when it was held in downtown Gallup, bonfire, dancers, illegal, Indians weren’t supposed to be served drinks, problems with alcoholism. Problems with drunks, alcoholism, at Laguna Fiesta. Lee wished he had gotten a camera when he was twelve years old so he could have taken more pictures of the Laguna Fiesta and those times. Lee wanted university to give him an Honorary Doctorate like Laura Gilpin had, since he gave his whole collection to CSWR UNM. Ramona had mentioned the collection to CSWR director Mike Kelly and had gotten the meetings with Lee started, arrangements, tax break. Lee and Ramona plan to go out to see Simon Bibo’s dark room, ruins. Lee comments on Simon Bibo, Scott Momaday living at Cochiti, Jemez Springs, teaching there, Ramona in the seminar, Momaday’s wife. More on Lee’s arrangement with CSWR for photo collection
Dates
- 9/22/2008
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Extent
From the Collection: 7 boxes (3.5 cu. ft., plus 1 oversize folder)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Creator
- From the Collection: Caplan, Ramona (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451