Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
James J. James papers , 1894-1967
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- James, James J.
- Title
- James J. James papers
- Dates
- 1894-1967 (inclusive)18941967
- Quantity
-
3.5 linear feet, (3 containers)
- Collection Number
- Ax 553
- Summary
- James J. James, also know as Jimmy James and George N. James, was born in Kansas. Around 1953, while living in Portland, Oregon, he started a letter-writing campaign to improve the status and condition of the American Indian. He wrote to numerous letters to public officials, Indian leaders, tribal councils, writers, and private citizens. The collection consists mainly of correspondence concerning Indian rights. Major correspondents are Anselm Forum, Inc., Wilson Charley, Frank Lafont, Alzamon Ira Lucas (Chief Rising Sun), Martha F. McKeown, Wayne L. Morse, and Richard Neuberger.
- Repository
-
University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
UO Libraries--SCUA
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR
97403-1299
Telephone: 5413463068
spcarref@uoregon.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.
- Additional Reference Guides
-
See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
James J. James, also know as Jimmy James and George N. James, was born in Kansas. He claimed to be part Cherokee Indian, and to have studied art under several teachers and at the Chicago Art Institute. At various times he called himself the "Painter of the Columbia" and "Indian Press Agent." From about 1953, when he was living in Portland, Oregon, he commenced a letter-writing campaign to improve the status and condition of the American Indian. To that end, he wrote to public officials, Indian leaders, tribal councils, writers, and private citizens.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The papers consist mainly of letters received and sent concerning Indian rights. Major correspondents are Anselm Forum, Inc., Charley Wilson, Frank Lafont, Alzamon Ira Lucas (Chief Rising Sun), Martha F. McKeown, Wayne L. Morse, and Richard Neuberger. One file of correspondence and documents concerns the proposed Northwestern American Indian Foundation and Center, Inc. Printed material consists of files of Indian newspapers, including Cherokee Times (Cherokee, N. C.), 1961-1966; Independent American (Coulee Dam, Washington), 1958-1964; Smoke Signals (Parker, Arizona), 1961-1966; Ute Bulletin (Ft. Duchesne, Utah), 1961-1964; and Yakima Reservation News (Yakima, Washington), 1961-1966.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Description |
|---|
| Guide to the James J. James Papers |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Indians of North America--Civil rights--Northwest, Pacific
- Indians of North America--Civil rights--United States
Personal Names
- Morse, Wayne L. (Wayne Lyman), 1900-1974
- Neuberger, Richard L. (Richard Lewis), 1912-1960
Corporate Names
- Anselm Forum, Inc.
Form or Genre Terms
- Business records
- Correspondence
- Letters (Correspondence)
