Native American Oral History Program Interviews - UNM Affiliates
Collection
Identifier: MSS-930-BC
Scope and Content
This collection consists of oral history interviews and transcripts. The interviews were conducted with Native American faculty, students, and alumni speaking about their time at UNM and discussing the beginning and impact of Native American programs, projects, and organizations. Some of the interviews are with people affiliated with UNM although they may not have attended UNM. Primary focuses of the interviews include UNM's Native American Studies Department, activities, actions of administration and regents, and a variety of other topics related to Native American experiences at the University of New Mexico.
The project maintained an interviewee file and each interviewee was assigned an interview number (some numbers were deleted from the project). The interview Project Files contain the interview transcripts, printed interview questions, notes, abstracts, vitas and clippings about the interviewees.
Interviewees in aphabetical order:
The project maintained an interviewee file and each interviewee was assigned an interview number (some numbers were deleted from the project). The interview Project Files contain the interview transcripts, printed interview questions, notes, abstracts, vitas and clippings about the interviewees.
Interviewees in aphabetical order:
- Andrew, Thomas - #47
- Arviso Ash, Shirley - #30
- Atencio, Mario - #36
- Baca, Imelda - #15
- Baxter, Bonita - #40
- Belgarde, Mary - #13
- Black Elk, Makhpiya J. - #3
- Blanchard, Evelyn L. - #37
- Bluehouse Johnson, William - #18
- Brugge, David - #8
- Cajete, Gregory - #38
- Cruz, Robert - #11
- Davis, Anselm G. Jr. - #4
- Davis, Ralph U. - #32
- Deloria, Sam - #28
- Dominguez, Allen Sixtus - #23
- Dominguez, Susanna - #23
- Dunbar-Ortiz, Roxanne - #19
- Fillmore, Herman - #3
- Fluharty, Sterling - #29
- Francis, Jaye - #16
- Francisco, Kelly - #42
- Frank, Lois Ellen - #31
- Frank-Cardenas, Joshua Thomas - #22
- Franklin, Keith - #33
- Gantt, Sean - #25
- Gorman, Colleen - #12
- Hanks, Andrea - #21
- Hanks, Andrea - #47
- Hart, Fred - #28
- Henderson, Al - #2
- HorseChief, Rebekah - #43
- Marmon, Lee - #1
- Monette, Lewis - #27
- Morgan, Leona - #46
- Morgan, Leona - #47
- Nelson, Andrew - #3
- Pfeiffer, Anita - #9
- Pino, Jonathan - #41
- Redhouse, John - #20
- Roanhorse, Sherrick - #26
- Shattuck, Paul - #14
- Suina, Joseph Henry - #17
- Thompson, Maurice - #10
- Toledo, Silfredo - #45
- Velarde, David - #39
- Wakashige, Ben - #35
- Whitehorse, Jean - #44
- Willink, Roseanne - #7
- Yazzie, Wyndsor - #24
Dates
- 2012-2015
Language of Materials
English, with Native American language interspersed in some of the interviews
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
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.
Program History
The history of the relationship between Native Americans and the University of New Mexico dates back to the 1920s. Throughout the years, there have been many Native American students, faculty, staff, programs, student organizations and activities, and departments at UNM. The relationships have been diverse, cordial, beneficial, and at times tumultuous. It has been a colorful history in which new departments and programs such as American Indian Student Services and Native American Studies have been established. The purpose of this oral history project was to develop a comprehensive, historical perspective about the relationship between Native Americans and the University of New Mexico, beginning in the 1940s until the present. The interviews contained in this collection provide a valuable primary source of information about this previously undocumented history.
The Native American Oral History Program (NAOHP) began in January 2012 under the Indigenous Nations Library Program (INLP), with funding and support provided by University Libraries and the Center for Southwest Research. Mary Alice Tsosie (Diné) spearheaded the project and was the program planner/interviewer. Ramona Caplan also assisted as an interviewer. In January 2013, the program was transferred from INLP to the Center for Southwest Research.
For additional history of the Native American Oral History program see presentation by Lloyd Lee, 2017.
The Native American Oral History Program (NAOHP) began in January 2012 under the Indigenous Nations Library Program (INLP), with funding and support provided by University Libraries and the Center for Southwest Research. Mary Alice Tsosie (Diné) spearheaded the project and was the program planner/interviewer. Ramona Caplan also assisted as an interviewer. In January 2013, the program was transferred from INLP to the Center for Southwest Research.
For additional history of the Native American Oral History program see presentation by Lloyd Lee, 2017.
Biography
Mary Alice Tsosie, Native American Oral History Program Director, was a long time member of the Navajo Studies Conference Board and served a term as President. Below is an autobiography she wrote in applying for a term on the board:
“I am Diné and I am originally from Whitehorse Lake. I attended boarding schools at Crownpoint and Wingate before moving to Wisconsin where I attended high school. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and my Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin. I have worked as a librarian in various positions in Wisconsin and New Mexico, always working on behalf of Native Americans. For seventeen years since 1995, I have worked at the University Libraries (UL) at the University of New Mexico. During that time, I consider my most noteworthy accomplishment at UNM as having been instrumental in establishing the Gathering Place in Zimmerman Library, where Native American students can receive research assistance and can study together or individually. It is a place they can call their own, feel comfortable as Native Americans, and yet focus on their success as students. In January 2012, I began a new assignment to develop the Oral History Program, under the auspices of the Indigenous Nations Library Program (INLP) at UL. We are totally devoted to recording the history of UNM and Native Americans. It is an exciting one of a kind program that gives a voice to Native Americans.”
(Source: General Project file.)
“I am Diné and I am originally from Whitehorse Lake. I attended boarding schools at Crownpoint and Wingate before moving to Wisconsin where I attended high school. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and my Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin. I have worked as a librarian in various positions in Wisconsin and New Mexico, always working on behalf of Native Americans. For seventeen years since 1995, I have worked at the University Libraries (UL) at the University of New Mexico. During that time, I consider my most noteworthy accomplishment at UNM as having been instrumental in establishing the Gathering Place in Zimmerman Library, where Native American students can receive research assistance and can study together or individually. It is a place they can call their own, feel comfortable as Native Americans, and yet focus on their success as students. In January 2012, I began a new assignment to develop the Oral History Program, under the auspices of the Indigenous Nations Library Program (INLP) at UL. We are totally devoted to recording the history of UNM and Native Americans. It is an exciting one of a kind program that gives a voice to Native Americans.”
(Source: General Project file.)
Extent
5 Boxes (44 interviews)
Abstract
The collection consists of oral history interviews designed to shed light on the history, culture, and relationships between Native Americans and the University of New Mexico from the 1920s to the present.
General
Note: Most interviews were recorded with both video and audio simultaneously. DVDs of videos and transcripts are available at the Center for Southwest Research reading room. Many of the videos have technical problems. Not all interviews have transcripts and some are incomplete. Audio recordings are available online by clicking on “Listen to sound file” at the bottom of each interview description below.
Processing Information
Almost all the interviews were captured digitally. A few were recorded on cassette tapes. All interviews have been reformatted to CD or DVD along with sound files made available online.
Note: Most interviews were recorded with both video and audio simultaneously. DVDs of videos and transcripts are available at the Center for Southwest Research reading room. Many of the videos have technical problems. Not all interviews have transcripts and some are incomplete. Audio recordings are available online by clicking on “Listen to sound file” at the bottom of each interview description below.
Note: Most interviews were recorded with both video and audio simultaneously. DVDs of videos and transcripts are available at the Center for Southwest Research reading room. Many of the videos have technical problems. Not all interviews have transcripts and some are incomplete. Audio recordings are available online by clicking on “Listen to sound file” at the bottom of each interview description below.
- Title
- Finding aid of the Native American Oral History Program Interviews - UNM Affiliates, 2012-2015
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- Samuel Sisneros
- Date
- © 2014
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English with some Native American language interspersed.
- Sponsor
- Funding for processing fellowship provided by Center for Regional Studies, University of New Mexico, Dr. Gabriel Meléndez, Director. Collection processed by Sandra Yellowhorse and Samuel Sisneros.
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
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