Ronald J. Kurtz Cañoncito Navajo research papers
Collection
Identifier: MSS-758-BC
Scope and Content
The collection consists of Ronald Kurtz' field journal, field notes, censuses, court records, school records, drafts of unpublished papers, and historical research used in writing his dissertation, "Role Change and Cultural Change: The Cañoncito Navajo Case." The collection is divided into 2 series: Field Research and Historical Research. The Field Research series consists of Kurtz' field journal, field notes, court notes, meeting notes, statements/notes on Navajo land claims, and notes on genealogy and kinship. The field journal records Kurtz' informal observations of and interactions in the day-to-day life of the Cañoncito Navajo, 1954-1958. The field notes are more formal, having been elicited from interviews with natives of Cañoncito and with an extension agent from the United Pueblos Agency. The interviews were for the purpose of reconstructing earlier Cañoncito life (largely, early 20th century) and understanding and comparing this with the structure and details of their then current (mid-1950's) way of life. Topics addressed in Kurtz' field research run the gamut, including kinship, gender roles, religion, subsistence, personal/community relationships, education, economics, land, government, etc. Historical Research consists of census materials (largely from the United Pueblos Agency); historical notes from sources including the National Archives; notes on people, place, and plant names as well as descriptions of Navajo camps, maps, fee patents, and land inheritances. This series also contains typescripts of unpublished papers and articles by Kurtz and a few typescripts by Juanita Platero and Siyo Miller.
Dates
- 1945-1963
- Majority of material found in 1957
Language of Materials
English Navajo
Access Restrictions
Prior to being given access to the collection, researchers must sign a consent form stating that they "will not divulge information that would be an invasion of privacy of living individuals," and agreeing not to divulge names of individuals mentioned in the interviews.
Access to the collection is via 2 rolls of microfilm shelved with CSWR microfilm collection (CSWR Microfilm MSS 758).
Access to the collection is via 2 rolls of microfilm shelved with CSWR microfilm collection (CSWR Microfilm MSS 758).
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Biographical Information
Ronald J. Kurtz received his M.A. (1956) and Ph.D. (1963) in Anthropology from the University of New Mexico. The majority of Kurtz' professional career was spent as an instructor (1961-1963), assistant professor (1963-1967) associate professor (1967-1970), professor (1970-1997) and currently, professor emeritus in the Anthropology Department at Grinnell College in Iowa.
Extent
1 box (1 cu. ft.)
Abstract
The collection consists of Ronald Kurtz' field journal and field notes, as well as census data, court records, school records, drafts of unpublished papers, and historical research gathered for his dissertation, "Role Change and Cultural Change: The Cañoncito Navajo Case."
Arrangement
2 series: Field Research, Historical Research
Microfilm Edition
Entire collection has been microfilmed. (CSWR Microfilm MSS 758) Researchers are required to use microfilm rather than originals.
- Cañoncito Navajo Indian Reservation (N.M.)
- Cañoncito Navajo Indian Reservation (N.M.) -- History
- Cañoncito Navajo Indian Reservation (N.M.) -- Social life and customs
- Kinship -- Cañoncito Navajo Indian Reservation (N.M.)
- Navajo Indians -- Cultural assimilation
- Navajo Indians -- Ethnic identity
- Navajo Indians -- Genealogy
- Navajo Indians -- History
- Navajo Indians -- Kinship
- Navajo Indians -- Land tenure
- Navajo Indians -- Social life and customs
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Ronald J. Kurtz Cañoncito Navajo research papers, 1945-1963
- Status
- Approved
- Author
- Processed by B. Silbergleit
- Date
- ©2005
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
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
cswrref@unm.edu
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
cswrref@unm.edu