Mentioned at the October researchers meeting, and now out:
The American Indian Oral History Manual: Making Many Voices Heard
by Charles E. Trimble (Lakota), Barbara W. Sommer, Mary Kay Quinlan
Walnut Creek, Calif.: Left Coast Press, Oct. 2008
160 pages; $22.95 paper
(25% discount on web orders through November 16)
Oral history is a widespread and well-developed research method in many fields, but the conduct of oral histories of and by American Indian peoples has unique issues and concerns that are too rarely addressed. This essential guide begins by differentiating between the practice of oral history and the ancient oral traditions of Indian cultures, detailing ethical and legal parameters, and addressing the different motivations for and uses of oral histories in tribal, community, and academic settings. Within that crucial context, the authors provide a practical, step-by-step guide to project planning, equipment and budgets, and the conduct and processing of interviews, followed by a set of examples from a variety of successful projects, key forms ready for duplication, and the Oral History Association Evaluation Guidelines. This vital manual will be the go-to text for everyone involved with oral history related to American Indians.
“This is an excellent guide and sourcebook for anyone conducting oral history projects in Native American and Alaska Native contexts. The guide is equally helpful for those working in villages, reservations, and heterogeneous schools. Although written with the Lower 48 in mind, the book’s suggestions and information are relevant throughout North America. The writing is good and clear, the organization helpful, the suggestions right on point. The section on intellectual copyright is a particularly valuable contribution to the literature. The guide is both timely and timeless: its treatment of the ever-changing realm of recording equipment, which wisely references Internet resources, will remain useful for many years to come.”
-Patricia H. Partnow, Ph.D.
Vice President of Cultural and Educational Services
Alaska Native Heritage Center
From Linda B. - ”Two reviews of a new book on Oneida Indians and the Revolutionary War. The research group includes people looking at Indian rights issues who might be interested in this book. Also, these sorts of books are models for those writing about Indians. The responses give some kind of idea as to how academics receive them–very helpful for some writers.”
Joseph T. Glatthaar and James Kirby Martin. Forgotten Allies: The Oneida Indians and the American Revolution. New York: Hill and Wang, 2006. xi + 434 pp. Illustrations, maps, notes, bibliography, index. $30.00 (cloth), ISBN 0-8090-4601-6.
Review on War listserv
Also, this is in the H-SHEAR listserv (July 2008), H-NET BOOK REVIEW. Reviewed for H-SHEAR by Jon Parmenter, Department of History, Cornell University, entitled, “Convenient Amnesia.” This is currently available only to members of the list.
Linda B. reports:
Indian Agency Annual Reports are now online through Google Books. I can’t tell how many are there–they are not listed chronologically. But the price is right; you can read material, copy it as text, and hug it if you like. As for printing, so far all I can do is lasso page segments, and paste elsewhere. The Print command only prints blanks for me, sigh.
It’s fabulous to be able to search for particular names or tribes. Just remember to use 19th century spellings!
Ann P. suggested that we create a list of our favorite Minnesota history books that we would recommend to non-historians. To send in suggestions, please use the comments function at the bottom of this posting (on the actual blog).
We think the links problem is now fixed! If you still run into problems using the links, send in a comment about that, too.
Check out Patrick Coleman’s 150 Best Minnesota Books blog.
Coleman, the Minnesota Historical Society’s acquisition librarian, will over the course of this sesquicentennial year designate the greatest 150 Minnesota books. (The list is currently at number 18.) He will anoint these books twice a month.
Coleman writes, “We realize that any such list is subjective and open to other opinions, which we strongly encourage.” He further states that readers should feel free to both add to and take issue with his selections.
Two Minnesota Historical Society Press authors — and members of the researchers group — earned top honors from the American Association for State and Local History:
- Annette Atkins for the book Creating Minnesota: A History from the Inside Out (WOW Award, Award of Merit),
- Bruce White for the book We Are At Home: Pictures of the Ojibwe People (Award of Merit).
Congratulations!
