Jenny M. Smith's Indian Student Placement Program oral histories, 1999

Overview of the Collection

Title
Jenny M. Smith's Indian Student Placement Program oral histories
Dates
1999 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 box, (.25 linear feet)
Collection Number
UUS_COLL MSS 294
Summary
This single box collection contains the typescripts and cassette recordings of six oral history interviews conducted in 1999 by Jenny M. Smith for her MA thesis, "Beyond the Statistics: Indian Experiences in the Indian Student Placement Program." Those interviewed for Smith's thesis were all Native Americans who had been involved in the ISPP. Interview subjects were: Alvia J. Brown, Celina Jake, Edmond Jake, Durinda Tom, Orlando Tsosie, and one interviewee who wished to remain anonymous.
Repository
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to public research.

Languages
English.
Sponsor
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008

Historical NoteReturn to Top

In 1947, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began what became known as the Indian Student Placement Program (ISPP). Encouraged and funded by the leadership of the Latter-day Saints' church, the objective of this program was to assimilate local Native Americans into the LDS culture. Assimilation was to be accomplished by having members of the LDS church offer to act as foster parents to Native American youths, thereby providing the opportunity for a better education, LDS religious influence, and life away from the reservation. In 1954, the ISPP was formally instituted by the LDS church. During the 1960s and 1970s, the program had high enrollment, but by the 1980s the program was in decline and subject to mounting public criticism. With the 1985 death of the ISPP's strongest advocate, LDS President Spencer W. Kimball, the program lost much of its momentum. In 1990, the program was officially discontinued by the LDS church.

Source: Smith, Jenny M., "Beyond the Statistics: Indian Experiences in the Indian Student Placement Program", USU MA Thesis, 2003. (Available in USU Special Collections and Archives.)

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This single box collection contains the typescripts and cassette recordings of six oral history interviews conducted in 1999 by Jenny M. Smith for her M.A. thesis, "Beyond the Statistics: Indian Experiences in the Indian Student Placement Program." Those interviewed for Smith's thesis were all Native Americans who had been involved in the ISPP. Interview subjects were: Alvia J. Brown, Celina Jake, Edmond Jake, Durinda Tom, Orlando Tsosie, and one interviewee who wished to remain anonymous.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Jenny M. Smith's Indian Student Placement Program oral histories must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives department head.

Preferred Citation

Jenny M. Smith's Indian Student Placement Program oral histories, 1999. (COLL MSS 294). Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives Department.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by interviewee.

Acquisition Information

The materials for this collection were donated to USU Special Collections and Archives by Jenny M. Smith in 2003.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1 Brown, Alvia J., typescript of interview undated
1 2 Jake, Celina, typescript of interview undated
1 3 Jake, Erdman, typescript of interview undated
1 4 Tom, Durinda, typescript of interview undated
1 5 Tsosie, Orlando, typescript of interview undated
1 6 Anonymous informant, typescript of interview undated
1 7 C. Jake and E. Jake, cassette recording of interview undated
1 8 D. Tom, O. Tsosie, and anonymous, cassette recording of interview undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Indians of North America--Education--Utah--History.
  • Oral history--West (U.S.)