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American Indian Studies

This page is a starting point for all students researching American Indian issues. This guide is created by the Labriola National American Indian Data Center.

Ponca Oral History Collection

Following are four interviews conducted by Scott E. White as part of his research for his dissertation, "A History of the Poncas in Nebraska: A Struggle for Survival." The Ph.D. was awarded by Arizona State University in December 2003. Call number is LD179.15 2003d W478. White covers the history of the Nebraskan Poncas from the earliest times to the present. The tribe has suffered through a long history of military incursions, forced removal, and ultimately termination. Finally, in 1990, recognition was restored.

  1. Gloria E. Chytka, Northern Ponca (LAB LO-16): Mrs. Chytko was secretary to the Northern Ponca Restoration Committee from 1987 to 1990, and served as interim chairperson following restoration. She discusses their efforts as they tried to achieve restoration.

     

  2. Elven Hamilton, Northern Ponca (LAB LO-17): Mr. Hamilton is a retired farmer and telephone company worker, who lives on the Yankton Sioux Reservation. He is serving on the Cultural Board at the present time. Hamilton discusses the period leading up to termination, growing up during the depression, and subsequent cultural revitalization.

     

  3. Timothy Lake, Santee Sioux (LAB LO-14: Lake is the BIA Superintendent and lives on the Yankton Sioux Reservation. He discusses numerous topics dealing with tribal history. Some are: federal-Indian relations; restoration jurisdiction; economic development; land acquisition; Indian Reorganization Act, cultural revitalization and repatriation.

     

  4. LaPointe, James Allen, Nez Perce Ponca (LAB LO-15): Mr. LaPointe also talked about termination, relocation, cultural revitalization, tribal government, Nebraska Indian organizations, education, activism, Norfolk Nebraska Indian Community, and identity.

The ASU Library acknowledges the twenty-three Native Nations that have inhabited this land for centuries. Arizona State University's four campuses are located in the Salt River Valley on ancestral territories of Indigenous peoples, including the Akimel O’odham (Pima) and Pee Posh (Maricopa) Indian Communities, whose care and keeping of these lands allows us to be here today. ASU Library acknowledges the sovereignty of these nations and seeks to foster an environment of success and possibility for Native American students and patrons. We are advocates for the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge systems and research methodologies within contemporary library practice. ASU Library welcomes members of the Akimel O’odham and Pee Posh, and all Native nations to the Library.