George P. Lee papers [photocopies]

George P. Lee papers [photocopies], 1989

Overview of the Collection

Title: George P. Lee papers [photocopies]
Dates: 1989
19891989
Quantity: 0.25 linear feet, (1 folder)
Collection Number: ACCN 1112
Summary: The George P. Lee papers (1989) consist of two photocopied letters from Lee, a member of the LDS Church's First Council of Seventy, to the First Presidency accusing LDS Church leaders of a "silent, subtle scriptural and spiritual slaughter" of the Lamanites, or Native Americans. The letters are accompanied by photocopies of newspaper clippings discussing the controversy. George P. Lee is a Navajo and a former general authority in the LDS Church. He was excommunicated in 1989 for accusing LDS Church leaders of racism toward Native Americans.
Repository: University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860

Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu
Access Restrictions: Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
Languages: English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

George was born March 23, 1943 in Towaoc, Colorado to Jaaneez Yee Biye (Son of Donkey Man) and Asdzaa Lichii (Red Woman.) He was Tódích'íinii, born for Kin Yaa aanii. As a young boy, George attended Shiprock Boarding School before becoming one of the first Navajos in the Placement Program of the LDS church, living with the Harker family in Orem, Utah. He attended school in Orem while returning to the Navajo Reservation for the summer. George served as class and student body president, played sports and excelled at everything he put his mind to. Early on, he showed his dynamic personality by giving stirring talks that were completely memorized while still a youth. After graduating high school, George served as a missionary in the Southwest Indian Mission, which he would later return to as Mission President in 1975. He was the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships that helped him earn his B.S. from BYU, Masters from Utah State University and finally his Ed.D. in Educational Administration from BYU. He was the first Native American to get a Doctorate degree from BYU and later served as the President of the College of Ganado and Principal at Tuba City High School in Arizona. He married Katherine Hettich, a Comanche from Oklahoma in 1967 and they had seven wonderful children together before divorcing in 1996. He was a strong member of the LDS church and served in various church positions before being called to the newly formed First Quorum of the Seventy by President Spencer W. Kimball at the age of 32. George was the first Native American General Authority in LDS church history.

(This biographical note was quoted from an obituray published in the Salt Lake Tribune, July 20, 2010.)

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The George P. Lee papers consist of two photocopied letters from Lee, a member of the LDS Church's First Council of Seventy, to the First Presidency accusing LDS Church leaders of a "silent, subtle scriptural and spiritual slaughter" of the Lamanites, or Native Americans. The letters are accompanied by photocopies of newspaper clippings discussing the controversy.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Preferred Citation

Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.

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