Earl J. Barlow papers, 1937 and 1972-2005

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Barlow, Earl J., b. 1927
Title
Earl J. Barlow papers
Dates
1937 and 1972-2005 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.5 linear ft.
Collection Number
Mss 709
Summary
This collection contains papers from Earl Barlow's work at the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention for the inclusion of a clause recognizing the cultural heritage and education needs of the American Indian, his work encouraging the Montana Legislature's passage of the Indian Studies Act of 1973 and the Amendment of 1979, and related speeches.
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana-Missoula.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Earl J. Barlow was born on June 2, 1927, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Browning, Montana, to Forest James Barlow and Vera Stewart Barlow. He attended federally operated boarding school and rural elementary schools on the reservation and graduated from Browning High School in 1944. He attended the University of Idaho from 1944-1945, Stanford University in 1945, and Western Montana College where he received a B.S. degree with honors in 1948. Barlow received his M.A. in Education from Montana State University in Missoula (now called The University of Montana-Missoula) in 1959.

Barlow began working as a teacher on the Flathead Indian Reservation in 1948 before becoming an elemenatry school principal and then coach and Superintendent of Schools for the district from 1957 to 1966. From 1966 to 1969 he was employed as Superintendent of Schools for District 2 in Stevensville, Montana; from 1969 to 1970 as a Program Specialist supervising ESEA and Title I programs for the western third of Montana; from 1970 to 1973 as the first Indian appointed to be Supervisor of Indian Education in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; from 1973 to 1978 as Superintendent of Schools in Browning, Montana; from 1979 to 1981 as Director, Office of Indian Education, Bureau of Indian Affairs, in Washington, D.C.; and in 1982 as Area Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Barlow retired in 1994.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection contains papers from Earl Barlow's work at the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention promoting the inclusion of a clause recognizing the cultural heritage and education needs of the American Indian, his work encouraging the Montana Legislature's passage of the Indian Studies Act of 1973 and the Amendment of 1979, and related speeches. The collection is divided into three series.

Series I, Montana Constitutional Convention, includes Barlow's speeches and testimony at the Convention, his correspondence with individuals and organzations regarding the proposed clause, background research, and news clippings.

Series II, Indian Studies Act, includes an analysis and response to the original Indian Studies Act of 1947 along with correspondence and other information relevant to Indian education during the 1970s and proprosed revisions to existing laws.

Series III, Miscellaneous, includes information regarding Barlow's honorary doctorate from Montana State University, two of his speeches, and his resume.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Earl J. Barlow Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

This collection is divided into three series:

Series I, Montana Constitutional Convention, 0.3 linear ft., 1937-2005

Series II, Indian Studies Act, 0.1 linear ft., 1972-1979

Series III, Miscellaneous, 0.1 linear ft., 1979-2005

Custodial History

Materials held by Earl Barlow until their donation to the Archives.

Acquisition Information

Donated to the Archives by Earl Barlow in 2009.

Processing Note

Barlow's original organization and folder titles were maintained during processing.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  Montana Constitutional Convention, 1937-2005Return to Top

0.3 linear ft.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Introduction to Barlow's participation in Montana Constitutional Convention
undated
1/2
Address by Earl Barlow
2005
1/3
General Assembly
1972
1/4
Address by Earl Barlow
1972
1/5
Testimony by Earl Barlow
1972
1/6
Lucille Otter letter
1972
1/7
Equal Education Opportunity
1972
1/8
Richard J. Champoose, Delegate
1972
1/9
Dorothy Eck, Delegate
1972
1/10
Wade J. Dahood, Delegate
1972
1/11
Dolores Colburg, State Superintendent
1972
1/12
Montana AFL-CIO
undated
1/13
Montana United Indian Association
1972
1/14
Montana Inter Tribal Policy Board
1972
1/15
Constitutional Convention Delegates
1972
1/16
Correspondence
1972
1/17
Newspaper clippings
1972-1997
1/18
Montana State Constitution pamphlet
1967-1970
1/19
"Round-Up" newsletter
undated
1/20
Rights of Indians
1971-1972
1/21
Constitutional Convention publications
1972
1/22
Article X Section 1(2)(Indian Education Article) Assessment
undated
1/23
The Intelligence and Achievement of White and Salish Indian Children, masters thesis by Bessie Young Marble
1937
1/33
The Constitution of the State of Montana
Barlow's annotated copy
2005

Series II:  Indian Studies Act, 1972-1979Return to Top

0.1 linear ft.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/24
Introduction to Indian Studies Act
undated
1/25
Indian Studies Act of 1973
1972-1979
1/26
Rules requiring Indian Studies Training, State Board of Public Education
1978
1/27
Indian Culture Master Plan, State Board of Public Education
1975
1/28
Indian Studies Guidelines, State Board of Public Education
1977
1/29
Indian Studies Act Amendment of 1979,
1979

Series III:  Miscellaneous, 1979-2005Return to Top

0.1 linear ft.
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/30
Montana State University Honorary Doctorate
1979
1/31
Addresses (speeches)
2001-2005
1/32
Earl J. Barlow resume
undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Constitutional conventions--Montana
  • Indians of North America--Education--Montana
  • Indians of North America--Government relations
  • Indians of North America--Montana
  • Indians--Study and teaching--Montana

Corporate Names

  • Montana. Constitutional Convention (1971-1972)
  • Montana. Legislature

Geographical Names

  • Montana--Politics and government--20th century