Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Joanne B. Mulcahy papers, 1983-1991
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Mulcahy, Joanne B., 1954-
- Title
- Joanne B. Mulcahy papers
- Dates
- 1983-1991 (inclusive)19831991
- Quantity
- approximately .42 cubic ft (2 boxes containing 21 audio cassettes)
- Collection Number
- 2696-045
- Summary
- Tape recorded interviews and logs of life history projects
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Access restricted: For terms of access contact repository.
Some records stored offsite; advance notice required for use.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Joanne B. Mulcahy teaches creative nonfiction, ethnographic writing, and humanities classes at the NW Writing Institute of Lewis and Clark College and the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University. Her essays have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies including The Stories that Shape Us: Contemporary Women Write about the West and These United States. Her awards include the New Letters nonfiction prize, and fellowships from Oregon Literary Arts, The British Council, the Alaska Humanities Forum, and the Oregon Council for the Humanities. She is the author of Birth and Rebirth on an Alaskan Island; Remedios: The Healing Life of Eva Castellanoz; and Writing Abroad: A Guide for Travelers (with Peter Chilson).
Historical BackgroundReturn to Top
The Alutiiq / Sugpiaq people are one of eight Alaska Native peoples. They have inhabited the coastal environments of south-central Alaska for over 7,500 years. Their traditional homelands include Prince William Sound, the outer Kenai Peninsula, the Kodiak Archipelago, and the Alaska Peninsula. Here people lived in coastal communities and hunted sea mammals from skin-covered boats. The Alutiiq people share many cultural practices with the other coastal peoples, particularly the Unangan / Aleut of the Aleutian Chain and the Yup’ik of the Bering Sea coast. Anthropologists believe these cultural similarities reflect a distant but common ancestry. At the time of European colonization, there were distinct regional groups of Alutiiq / Sugpiaq people, each speaking a slightly different dialect of the Alutiiq language.
“ Alutiiq ” is a contemporary term describing the indigenous people of the area stretching from Chignik Lagoon on the Alaska Peninsula up to the outer Kenai coast and extending to Prince William Sound. It stems from “ Aleut ”, (meaning “coastal dweller”) used by Russians encountering coastal Alaskans in the 1740s. Today, Kodiak’s Native people use a variety of self-designators. There is no one correct term. Many Elders prefer Aleut, a term they were taught as children. Today, others choose Alutiiq or Sugpiaq .
(Source: Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository. Web. Date Accessed: 02/22/2023)
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Tape recorded interviews of the life histories of women from Anchorage and Kodiak Island, Alaska. Interviewees include Eunice Neseth, Zoia Sugak, Olga Panamaroff, Martha (Otten) Kahutak, Annie Boskofsky, Enola Mullan, Katherine Chichenoff, Sophia Simeonoff, Frieda Reft, and Mary Peterson (Kodiak Alutiiq). Also includes an interivew with Russian Orthodox priest Father Peter Kreta. Topics covered in the interviews include: basket weaving, midwifery, village life, personal histories, early life, traditional healing and midwifery, the Community Health Aide System, Russian Orthodox traditions and beliefs, knowledge and current use of the Alutiiq language, Aleut basketmaking, changes in village life, and reformation of ethnic identity.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Organized into 2 accessions.
- Accession No. 2696-045-01, Joanne B. Mulcahy papers, 1983
- Accession No. 2696-045-02, Joanne B. Mulcahy papers, 1991
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Accession No. 2696-045-01: Joanne B. Mulcahy papers, 1983Return to Top
Scope and Content: Tape recorded interviews and log (all copies), 1983. Life histories of 12 women on Kodiak Island, Alaska. Interviewees include Eunice Neseth, Zoia Sugak, Olga Panamaroff, Martha (Otten) Kahutak, Annie Boskofsky, Enola Mullan, Katherine Chichenoff, Sophia Simeonoff, and Frieda Reft. The log lists in detail subjects covered on each tape. Topics covered in the interviews include: basket weaving, midwifery, village life, and personal histories.
Restrictions on Access: Access restricted: For terms of access contact repository.
Records stored offsite; advance notice required for use.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights retained. Contact repository for details.
Acquisition Info: Joanne Mulcahy, 1983-09-01
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Accession | ||
| 1 | 2696-045-01 | Tape #1: Eunice Neseth audio cassette
Scope and Content: Contents: childhood memories, family background, education,
knowledge on languages. ; Location: Kodiak, Alaska; Recorded by: Joanne B.
Mulcahy
General Notes: Recorded on one side of tape
|
June 24, 1983 |
| 1 | 2696-045-01 | Tape #2: Zoia Sugak audio cassette
Scope and Content: Contents: Life in Karluk; Midwifery; Aleut language; Location:
Kodiak Island (Karluk), Alaska; Recorded by: Joanne B. Mulcahy
General Notes: Recorded on both sides of tape
|
June 26, 1983 |
| 1 | 2696-045-01 | Tape #3: Olga Panamaroff audio cassette
Scope and Content: Contents: Life in Kaluk; Work as a midwife and reader in the
Russian Orthodox Church; Location: Kodiak Island (Karluk), Alaska; Recorded by:
Joanne B. Mulcahy
General Notes: Recorded on one side of tape
|
June 30, 1983 |
| 1 | 2696-045-01 | Tape #5: Martha (Otten) Kahutak audio cassette
Scope and Content: Contents: Early life on St. Michael; Basket weaving; Midwifery;
Location: Kodiak, Alaska; Recorded by: Joanne B. Mulcahy
General Notes: Recorded on both sides of tape
|
June 15, 1983 |
| 1 | 2696-045-01 | Tape #6: Eunice Neseth audio cassette
Scope and Content: Contents: Basket weaving; Location: Kodiak, Alaska; Recorded by:
Joanne B. Mulcahy
General Notes: Recorded on both sides of tape
|
July 7, 1983 |
| 1 | 2696-045-01 | Tape #7: Annie Boskofsky audio cassette
Scope and Content: Contents: Early Afognak village life; Location: Kodiak (Port
Lions), Alaska; Recorded by: Joanne B. Mulcahy
General Notes: Recorded on both sides of tape
|
July 11, 1983 |
| 1 | 2696-045-01 | Tape #8: Enola Mullan audio cassette
Scope and Content: Contents: Growing up in Afognak village; Russian and Aleut
languages; Shell sculptures; Location: Afognak Island, Alaska; Recorded by:
Joanne B. Mulcahy
General Notes: Recorded on both sides of tape
|
July 12, 1983 |
| 1 | 2696-045-01 | Tape #9: Enola Mullan audio cassette
Scope and Content: Contents: Life in Afognak village, Russian language, teaching in
Alaska; Location: Afognak Island, Alaska; Recorded by: Joanne B. Mulcahy
General Notes: Recorded on both sides of tape
|
July 12, 1983 |
| 1 | 2696-045-01 | Tape #10: Katherine Chichenoff audio cassette
Scope and Content: Contents: Russian language and influence on Kodiak; life in
Afognak Village; Location: Kodiak, Alaska; Recorded by: Joanne B. Mulcahy
General Notes: Recorded on one side only
|
July 15, 1983 |
| 1 | 2696-045-01 | Tape #11: Sophia Simeonoff audio cassette
Scope and Content: Contents: Childhood memoires of St. Michale"s; life in Old
Harbour, Alaska; Location: Kodiak, Alaska; Recorded by: Joanne B. Mulcahy
General Notes: Recorded on both sides of tape
|
July 20, 1983 |
| 1 | 2696-045-01 | Tape #12: Freida Reft audio cassette
Scope and Content: Contents: Life in Karluk and Kodiak; work as a cook;
childrearing ; Location: Anchorage, Alaska; Recorded by: Joanne B. Mulcahy
General Notes: Recorded on both sides of tape
|
July 26, 1983 |
| Box/Folder | |||
| 1/1 | 2696-045-01 | Interview Logs
Scope and Content: Logging of subject content in taped interviews with time stamps
provided
|
Accession No. 2696-045-02: Joanne B. Mulcahy papers, 1991Return to Top
Scope and Content: Ten tapes recorded in Alaska between April 23 and May 17, 1991 in Anchorage and on Kodiak Island, Alaska. They include nine life history interviews with Mary Peterson (Kodiak Alutiiq), and one interview with a Russian Orthodox priest, Father Peter Kreta. Accompanying the tapes are indices and a copy of the final report sent to the Whatcom Museum. Interviews covered the following topics: early life, traditional healing and midwifery, the Community Health Aide System, Russian Orthodox traditions and beliefs, knowledge and current use of the Alutiiq language, Aleut basketmaking, changes in village life, and reformation of ethnic identity.
Restrictions on Access: Access restricted: For terms of access contact repository.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights retained. Contact repository for details.
Acquisition Info: Joanne B. Mulcahy. Portland, OR, 1991-07-10
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Accession | ||
| 1 | 2696-045-02 | Mary Petersen (AK 91-4-1) audio cassette
Scope and Content: Side A: Early memories; family members; doing a genealogy; Side
B: Subsistence living; the village of Akhiok; Russian Orthodox traditions;
Location: Kodiak, Alaska; Recorded by: Joanne B. Mulcahy
|
April 28, 1991 |
| 1 | 2696-045-02 | Mary Petersen (AK 91-4-2) audio cassette
Scope and Content: Side A: Russia Orthodox traditions; basketmaking and other arts;
Side B: midwifery and traditional healing; dietary practices; Location: Kodiak,
Alaska; Recorded by: Joanne B. Mulcahy
|
April 29, 1991 |
| 1 | 2696-045-02 | Mary Petersen (AK 91-4-3) audio cassette
Scope and Content: Side A: Village life; games and activities; fishing and cannery
work; arranged marriages; Side B: Menarche seclusion; changes in village
drinking patterns; Location: Kodiak, Alaska; Recorded by: Joanne B. Mulcahy
|
April 29, 1991 |
| 1 | 2696-045-02 | Mary Petersen (AK 91-4-4) audio cassette
Scope and Content: Side A: Midwifery and traditional healing; Russian Orthodox
practices (birth control and women's roles); Oleanna Ashouwak as a healer; Side
B: Oleanna's healing techniques; stories about a "shamonok" from Olga Bay;
Location: Kodiak, Alaska; Recorded by: Joanne B. Mulcahy
|
April 30, 1991 |
| 1 | 2696-045-02 | Mary Petersen (AK 91-4-5) audio cassette
Scope and Content: Side A: Continued discussion of traditional healing; puberty
seclusion; health aide system; ethnic identity; teaching basketmaking; Side B:
Basketmaking; Alutiiq language and identity; Location: Kodiak, Alaska; Recorded
by: Joanne B. Mulcahy
|
April 30, 1991 |
| 1 | 2696-045-02 | Mary Petersen (AK 91-4-6) audio cassette
Scope and Content: Side A: Subsistence living; description of grandfather and uncle
Davis; treatment of the elders; death and suicide; Side B: Continued discussion
about death and loss; Location: Kodiak, Alaska; Recorded by: Joanne B.
Mulcahy
|
April 30, 1991 |
| 1 | 2696-045-02 | Mary Petersen (AK 91-5-7) audio cassette
Scope and Content: Side A: Description of medicinal plants and their use; Kate
Melcoulie and Oleanna Ashouwak as healers; current plant use; Side B: Growing
up in Akhiok; gender division in work; cannery work; subsistence; Location:
Kodiak, Alaska; Recorded by: Joanne B. Mulcahy
|
May 2, 1991 |
| 1 | 2696-045-02 | Mary Petersen (AK 91-5-8) audio cassette
Scope and Content: Side A: Russian Orthodox church life; arranged marriages;
leaving the village for Anchorage; future plans; Side B: Continuity to helping
roles in Mary's life; adjustment to life in the city; the sobriety movement in
Akhiok; Location: Kodiak, Alaska; Recorded by: Joanne B. Mulcahy
|
May 2, 1991 |
| 1 | 2696-045-02 | Mary Petersen (AK 91-5-9) audio cassette
Scope and Content: Side A: Varieties of Aleut basketmaking; New Year's celebrations
and the devil dance in Akhiok; "Praznik" celebrations in Anchorage as an
adaptation; Side B: Continued discussion of the Praznik; role of KANA in
revitalizing traditional culture; Location: May 6, 1991; Recorded by: Joanne B.
Mulcahy
|
May 6, 1991 |
| 1 | 2696-045-02 | Father Peter Kreta (AK 91-5-10) audio cassette
Scope and Content: Side A: Russian Orthodoxy in village life; "Starring" and other
holiday traditions; Alutiiq identity and language; Side B: Changes in village
drinking patterns; role of lay readers in the villages; Location: Kodiak,
Alaska; Recorded by: Joanne B. Mulcahy
|
May 4, 1991 |
| Box/Folder | |||
| 1/1 | 2696-045-02 | Interview logs
Scope and Content: Logging of subject content in taped interviews with time stamps
provided
|
|
| 1/2 | 2696-045-02 | Final Research Report |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Mulcahy, Joanne B., 1954- (creator)
Corporate Names
- Jacobs Research Fund (creator)
- Jacobs Research Funds (creator)
