Intermountain Inter-Tribal School Creative Writings collection, 1966-1984
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Utah State University
- Title
- Intermountain Inter-Tribal School Creative Writings collection
- Dates
- 1966-1984 (inclusive)19601984
- Quantity
- 1.25 linear feet, (3 boxes)
- Collection Number
- UUS_COLL MSS 571
- Summary
- Printed and manuscript materials from the Intermountain Inter-Tribal School, once located in Brigham City, Utah. Includes mainly poetry and creative writing assignments of students.
- 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
-
Some of the materials are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Access Act (FERPA), and are therefore restricted. Not available through interlibrary loan.
- Languages
- English
Content Description
This collection contains published and unpublished poetry and creative writing of the students of Intermountain Inter-Tribal School. Included are printed yearly anthologies of student poetry and short stories, and files containing handwritten or typed poetry and writing assignments. These appear to have been collected by one or more Language Arts teachers at the school. In addition, several copies of a packet of student letters and photographs protesting the closure of the boarding school in 1984 are included. Much of the writing centers on the lived experiences of the students and offers insight into the challenges of adolescence and of maintaining cultural and family ties while living far from home. Currently only the published works are available for access.
Historical Note
In 1948 Bushnell Hospital in Brigham City, Utah was transformed into what would become the Intermountain Indian School, or, the "world's largest boarding school." The school opened its doors in January 1950 to five hundred Navajo students. Educational goals were to teach English and basic academic disciplines as well as vocational skills which, it was believed, would facilitate assimilation into mainstream America.
Renamed the Intermountain Inter-Tribal School in fall 1974, the school enrolled students from twenty-six other tribes. Tensions ran high and in February of 1975 rioting erupted. During the riot, students injured three officers and destroyed several police cars. After this incident, enrollment fell and the stability of the school was called into question. Moreover, the federal government reversed previous rulings regarding assimilation. The Intermountain School closed its doors on May 17, 1984.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Intermountain Inter-Tribal School Creative Writing collection must be obtained from the Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.
Preferred Citation
Initial Citation: Intermountain Inter-Tribal School Creative Writings collection USU_MSS 571. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.
Following Citations:USU_MSS 571, USUSCA.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
This collection is divided into two series: Published writings and Collected writings.
Acquisition Information
Utah State University Special Collections & Archives purchased this collection in 2021 from Orrin Schwab.
Related Materials
Intermountain Indian School architectural drawings, UUS_COLL MSS 493
Intermountain Indian School Photo collection, UUS_P0327
Intermountain Indian School Digital collection, IndSchool
Detailed Description of the Collection
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I. Anthologies of student poetry and prose, 1966-1979
Published by Intermountain Inter-Tribal School, unless otherwise noted
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Description: Intermountain School introductory brochureDates: undatedContainer: Box 1, Folder 1
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Description: Writings Diné
Includes Explain, Examine, Emerge, and A Look at Me
Dates: 1971-1973Container: Box 1, Folder 2 -
Description: NaatsiilidDates: 1966-1969Container: Box 1, Folder 3
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Description: NaatsiilidDates: 1970-1972Container: Box 1, Folder 4
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Description: Smoke SignalsDates: 1966-1968Container: Box 1, Folder 5
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Description: Smoke SignalsDates: 1970-1978Container: Box 1, Folder 6
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Description: Eagle ViewsDates: 1974-1976Container: Box 1, Folder 7
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Description: Sun ShieldDates: 1976-1979Container: Box 1, Folder 8
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Description: Anthologies of poetry, fiction, and plays
Published by the Institute of American Indian Arts; includes Spawning the Medicine River
Dates: 1965-1979Container: Box 1, Folder 9 -
Description: Angwamas Minosewag Anishinabeg [The Time of the Indian]
Published by the Minnesota Poets in the Schools Program
Dates: 1974-1975Container: Box 1, Folder 10 -
Description: Photos and letters protesting school closureDates: 1984Container: Box 2, Folder 1
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Description: Photos and letters protesting school closure, copy 2Dates: 1984Container: Box 2, Folder 2
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Description: Collected poetry, photographsDates: undatedContainer: Box 2, Folder 3
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Description: II. Assorted writing assignments *Access Restricted*Dates: 1966-1984Container: Box 3
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- American Indian experience
- American Indian stories
- Intermountain School. Language Arts Department
- Navajo children--Education--Utah--Brigham City--Photographs.
- Off-reservation boarding schools--Utah--Brigham City--History.
- Off-reservation boarding schools--Utah--Brigham City--Photographs.
Corporate Names
- Intermountain Inter-tribal School.
Geographical Names
- West (U.S.)--Poetry.
