Soaring Eagle -- REVEREND EMMETT HOFFMANN HERITAGE PROJECT COLLECTION: Scope and Content Note
ACCESS NOTE: This collection is undergoing re-evaluation in collaboration with representatives from the Cheyenne Tribe and from St. Labre Mission. Material is not accessible at this time.
Primarily oral history recordings in Cheyenne and meetings in English at St. Labre Mission School, Ashland, Montana, with select transcripts in English regarding Cheyenne Indian life, history, and culture in Montana, South Dakota, and Oklahoma. Related publications and motion pictures included; also scenes at Mount Calvary and St. Anthony Hospital/ St. Benedict the Moor Mission, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which served African Americans. Some restrictions apply.
The Heritage Project recordings and transcripts includes 672 recordings of Northern (and Southern) Cheyenne oral history and business meetings with selected translated transcripts; biographies of Rev. Emmett Hoffmann in print and DVD formats; and 44 reels of motion pictures by Fenton Schaub, a lay volunteer from Mount Calvary, Wisconsin. Many of the oral history respondents and subjects were students and/or alumni of St. Labre, which was administered by the Capuchins.
The bulk of the Fenton Schaub motion pictures pertain to Northern Cheyenne children at St. Labre. A few scenes pertain to Mount Calvary and St. Anthony Hospital/ St. Benedict the Moor (African American) Mission, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which were also administered by the Capuchins.
Gift of Rev. Emmett Hoffmann (1928-2013), 1996, with additions from , 1996-2011, and the Tekakwitha Conference National Center (Great Falls, Montana), 1998-1999. Processed by Mark G. Thiel and student assistants, 1993-2014.
Dates | Notable Events |
1884-1933 | To serve Cheyenne Indian children, Mother Amadeus Dunne, O.S.U., and the Ursulines (Toledo, Ohio) established and staffed St. Labre School (Ashland, Montana) near the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. |
1926-2004 | Capuchins (St. Joseph’s Province, Detroit, Michigan) administered St. Labre. |
1928-1938 | St. Labre expanded to include a high school division by retaining its graduates beyond the eighth grade. |
1947-1966 | Finton Schaub (1882-1966), of Swiss descent and a Capuchin lay volunteer from Mount Calvary, Wisconsin, served St. Labre as a dedicated gardener and grounds keeper following a life-threatening auto accident. He was an excellent yodeler, great storyteller, and amateur cinematographer who recorded students' activities for their enjoyment. |
1954-1979 | Rev. Emmett Hoffmann served St. Labre, primarily as its development officer. |
ca. 1972-1979 | Rev. Hoffmann administered the Northern Cheyenne Heritage Project at St. Labre. On reel-to-reel and cassette tapes, Cheyenne elders, most of who were school alumni, recorded reminiscences, discussions, and meetings pertaining to Cheyenne heritage and current concerns. DeRancé, Inc., a Milwaukee-based Catholic foundation, provided generous financial support for the recording equipment and supplies. |
1996-2011 | Chief Clarence "Bisco" Spotted Wolf directed and created the English translations of selected Heritage Project recordings. Chief Spotted Wolf was a grandson of the Historic Chief Spotted Wolf and a Chief of the Northern Cheyenne Council of Forty-four. |
1997 | Soaring Eagle incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation. |
1998-1999 | The Tekakwitha Conference National Office (then Great Falls, Montana) discovered several Heritage Project recordings in its office, which it transferred to the Marquette Archives for the Heritage Project collection. |
Scope and Content
Soaring Eagle Series 1. Heritage Project Sound Recordings: 672 sound recordings pertaining to Cheyenne Indian history and culture and current issues from interviews and discussions by older Northern Cheyenne Indians on or near the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. In some instances, visitors and resident missionaries were involved in the discussions. Cheyenne is the prevailing language spoken in most recordings; others are in English. Except where noted otherwise, it is believed that all recordings were produced at St. Labre Mission School, Ashland, Montana, which many of the Northern Cheyenne participants had attended.
Most visitors were notable out-of-state Indians, such as Southern Cheyenne from Oklahoma, Hopi from Arizona, Oglala from South Dakota, and Ojibwa from Wisconsin, whereas most non-Indians were Catholic Capuchin Franciscan priests at St. Labre Mission School.
All recordings were produced in open reel (reel to reel) or audio cassette formats with audio cassette copies made as well for limited distribution. In most recordings, the respondents spoke Cheyenne exclusively. But English was used predominantly or exclusively whenever the speaker was non-Cheyenne and/or the events were public business meetings regarding important local issues, e.g. coal development, no. 188, 096, 195, 196.
The original recordings selected for transcription were reformatted to wav files, 1993-2014.
Restrictions: The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of these recordings. The recordings numbered 080, 213A, 246 and 259 are closed until 2054 (50 years after their creation). For further information, consult with the archivist in charge.
The following speakers were interviewees and/or discussion participants in the recordings. Alternative names, nicknames, and surname spelling variations used in the collection are noted in parentheses. Birth and/or death years are included, if known. All speakers were Northern Cheyenne Indians, unless noted otherwise.
Speakers | Dates | Comments |
Alford, Dan | 1973 | No transcripts. |
American Horse, George | 1956 | At least one transcript. |
Ant, James | 1974, undated | At least one transcript. |
Antoine, Rev. James Michel (Father Michel), O.F.M. Cap. | 1973, undated | At least one transcript; a non-Indian and St. Labre staff member. |
Atwood, James | Undated | At least one transcript. |
Barlow, Earl | Undated | At least one transcript; a Siksika (Blackfeet) Indian. |
Bear Chum, Francis | 1972-1973, undated | A few transcripts. |
Big Head, Clara (Mrs. Charles?) | Undated | At least one transcript and some recordings with audibility problems. |
Big Left Hand | - | - |
|
1973-1974, undated | A few transcripts. |
|
1974 | At least one transcript and some recordings with audibility problems. |
Bird, Gladys | 1973-1974 | A few transcripts and some recordings with audibility problems. Married Ernest King and step-mother of Annie Little Bird. |
Black Hare, Mary | Undated | No transcripts. |
Black Horse | - | - |
|
1973-1974, 1977, undated | A few transcripts; a Sun Dance chief and Sacred Bundle keeper. |
|
1973-1974 | At least one transcript. |
|
1973, undated | At least one transcript and some recordings with audibility problems. |
Black Wolf | - | - |
|
1974 | At least one transcript. |
|
1973 | No transcripts. |
|
1974, undated | At least one transcript and some recordings with audibility problems; a three-term keeper of the Sacred Hat bundle. |
|
1973, undated | At least one transcript and some recordings with audibility problems; served as keeper of the Sacred Hat bundle. |
Brady | - | - |
|
Undated | At least one transcript. |
|
Undated | At least one transcript and some recordings with audibility problems. |
|
Undated | No transcripts. |
|
1974 | At least one transcript. |
Bull Coming | - | - |
|
1973, undated | 8 transcripts and 11 recordings; some recordings with audibility problems. Of Southern Cheyenne background, but raised among the Northern Cheyenne. |
|
Undated | No transcripts. |
|
1973-1974, undated | 9 transcripts and 26 recordings; 4 recordings with songs. Exceptionally rich and illuminating narratives, re Cheyenne religious beliefs and practices. Of Southern Cheyenne background, but raised among the Northern Cheyenne. |
|
Undated | No transcripts. |
Burnstein, Mr. [first name unidentified] | Undated | No transcripts; a non-Indian. |
Byer, Mr. [first name unidentified] | 1973 | At least one transcript; apparently a non-Indian. |
Cady, Sam | Undated | At least one transcript; a Lummi Indian. |
Crazy Mule | - | - |
|
1973-1974, undated | No transcripts. |
|
Undated | No transcripts. |
Dahle (Dow?), Edwin | 1973 | At least one transcript; a non-Indian. |
Deu, Curr | 1972 | No transcripts. |
Elk Shoulder | - | - |
|
1973-1974, undated | At least one transcript; some recordings with audibility problems. |
|
1974, undated | No transcripts. |
|
1974, undated | No transcripts. |
|
1974 | No transcripts. |
|
1974 | No transcripts. |
Fall Bull (Fallbull), Rilla | 1974 | No transcripts. |
Fire Crow (Firecrow), Julia | Undated | At least one transcript. |
Fisher | - | - |
|
1974 | At least one transcript. |
|
Undated | A few transcripts. |
|
1974, undated | At least one transcript; some recordings with audibility problems. |
Fox | - | - |
|
Undated | At least one transcript. |
|
Undated | At least one transcript. |
Gardner, Tom | 1973, undated | At least one transcript; a non-Indian. |
Gray | - | - |
|
Undated | No transcripts. |
|
Undated | No transcripts. |
|
1973-1974, undated | A few transcripts. |
Harriet, Ruth | 1975 | No transcripts. |
Harris, Ann | 1974 | No transcripts. |
Haywood, Stan | 1973 | No transcripts. Ethnic background unknown. |
Hemauer, Rev. Gilbert F. (Father Gil), O.F.M. Cap. | 1973 | At least one transcript; a non-Indian and St. Labre Mission staff member who later served as Executive Director of the Tekakwitha Conference. |
Hiwalker, George | Undated | No transcripts. |
Hollow Breast (Hollowbreast) | - | - |
|
1973, undated | At least one transcript. |
|
Undated | No transcripts. |
Honahni, Dan | 1972-1974, undated | No transcripts. |
Kills On Top (Killsontop) | - | - |
|
1973, undated | A few transcripts. |
|
Undated | At least one transcript. |
Kindell, Alice | 1974 | No transcripts. |
King | ||
|
1973-1974, undated | A few transcripts; a Native American (peyote) Church member-healer. Married Gladys Bird and father of Annie Little Bird. |
|
1974, undated | At least one transcript. |
|
1973, undated | At least one transcript. |
Latimar [first name unidentified], Mr. | 1974 | No transcripts. Ethnic background unknown. |
Limpy, Josephine (Josie, Old Woman) Head Swift (Headswift) | 1972, 1974-1975, 1977, undated | Exceptionally rich and illuminating narratives within several transcripts, re Cheyenne religious beliefs and practices; daughter of a Sacred Hat Bundle keeper who learned the duties from her father; served as its temporary keeper, ca. 1970-1973. |
Little Bird (Littlebird) | - | - |
|
1972-1973, undated | At least one transcript; some recordings with audibility problems. She also conducted interviews for several recordings. Daughter of Ernest King and step-daughter of Gladys Bird. |
|
1972-1974, undated | A few transcripts; a highly decorated World War II veteran and close friend of Father Emmett Hoffmann. |
|
1973-1974 | At least one transcript; some recordings with audibility problems. |
|
1973-1974, undated | At least one transcript. |
Little Coyote | - | - |
|
1956 | At least one transcript. |
|
1972-1974, undated | At least a few transcripts. Also conducted several interviews. Served as the Sacred Hat bundle keeper, 1973-ca. 1975, but resigned citing his lack of adequate prior knowledge; His father, Henry, and grandfather, Eugene, had served previously. |
|
1973, undated | No transcripts. |
Little Head | - | - |
|
Undated | At least one transcript. |
|
Undated | At least one transcript; some recordings with audibility problems. |
Little Whiteman, Mary | Undated | At least one transcript; some recordings with audibility problems. |
Lone Wolf, Joseph "Joe" | Undated | No transcripts. |
McCurtain, Buster | Undated | At least one transcript; apparently Indian, but tribe unidentified. Director of Northern Indian California Education Project. |
McManus [first name unidentified], Mr. | 1973 | No transcripts; a non-Indian. |
Medicine Bird, James "Jim" (1914-1977) | 1973-1974, undated | Exceptionally rich and illuminating narratives within several transcripts. Never married. |
Medicine Elk | - | - |
|
1974 | No transcripts. |
|
1956, undated | At least one transcript. |
|
1975, undated | No transcripts. |
Morris [Morrison?] | - | - |
|
Undated | No transcripts. |
|
Undated | No transcripts. |
Night Walker (Nightwalker) | - | - |
|
1973 | At least one transcript; some recordings with audibility problems. Daughter of Alex Spotted Elk. |
|
1973-1974 | A few transcripts; a Southern Cheyenne Indian. |
One Bear, Margaret | Undated | No transcripts. |
One Feather, Gerald | 1973 | No transcripts; an Oglala Lakota Indian from South Dakota. |
Perea, Jake | Undated | No transcripts; ethnic background unknown. |
Pine | ||
|
1974 | At least one transcript. |
|
1973 | At least one transcript. |
Platt, Bob | 1973 | No transcripts; a non-Indian. |
Red Bird, Mary | 1973 | At least one transcript; a few recordings have audibility problems. |
Red Eagle | - | - |
|
1973-1974, undated | A few transcripts; a Southern Cheyenne Indian from Oklahoma. |
|
1973, undated | At least one transcript; identified as both a Southern Cheyenne and an Indian of Crow and Northern Cheyenne ancestry. |
Red Fox, Robert | 1974, undated | At least one transcript. |
Red Hat | - | - |
|
1973-1974 | A few transcripts; a Southern Cheyenne and Sacred Arrow keeper from Oklahoma. |
|
1973-1974 | At least one transcript, some recordings with audibility problems; a Southern Cheyenne from Oklahoma. |
|
1974 | No transcripts; a Southern Cheyenne from Oklahoma. |
Red Woman | - | - |
|
1973-1974, undated | A few transcripts. |
|
1974 | No transcripts. |
|
1974 | No transcripts. |
|
1973, undated | No transcripts. |
Rising Sun (Risingsun) | - | - |
|
1973, undated | A few transcripts. |
|
1974 | No transcripts. |
|
1973, undated | A few transcripts. |
Round Stone, Richard | 1974 | No transcripts. |
Russell | - | - |
|
1974, undated | No transcripts. |
|
1974 | No transcripts. |
St. Germaine, Dr. Richard (Rick) | Undated | No transcripts; an Ojibwa Indian from Wisconsin. |
Seminole | - | - |
|
1973-1974, undated | Exceptionally rich and illuminating narratives within several transcripts. A mixed-race Cheyenne Indian who served as a ranch hand and a police officer. |
|
1973 | At least one transcript. |
|
1973-1974, undated | A few transcripts, some recordings with audibility problems. |
Shoulder Blade (Shoulderblade), Wendell | 1973 | No transcripts. |
Sitting Man, Charles, Jr. | 1956, 1973-1974, 1977, undated | Exceptionally rich and illuminating narrative within several transcripts. |
Sooktis | - | - |
|
Undated | No transcripts. Never married. |
|
Undated | At least one transcript; some recordings with audibility problems. She was a direct descendant of Chief Dull Knife; the mother of Joann, Rwisie, and Vernon Sooktis. Her husband, Charles, served as a Sacred Hat bundle keeper and was a close friend of Rev. Emmett Hoffmann. |
|
Undated | No transcripts. Never married. |
|
Undated | No transcripts. Never married. |
Spang, Dr. Alonzo L. | 1973 | At least one transcript. Married Clarise Spang. |
Spear | - | - |
|
1973-1975, undated | A few transcripts. |
|
1974 | At least one transcript; some recordings with audibility problems. |
Spotted Elk | - | - |
|
1973-1974, undated | A few transcripts. |
|
1972 | No transcripts. |
|
1975 | No transcripts. |
|
1973, undated | A few transcripts. |
Standing Elk, Mary | 1975 | No transcripts. |
Stands In Timber (Stands-in-Timber) | - | - |
|
1974 | At least one transcript. Married Joe Fire Crow. |
|
1956, undated | At least one transcript. |
Strange Owl (Strangeowl), Grace | 1974, undated | At least one transcript; some recordings with audibility problems. |
Three Fingers, Lucy | 1974 | No transcripts. |
Two Two, Thelma | 1974 | No transcripts. |
Walks Last (Walkslast) | - | - |
|
1974, undated | At least one transcript; some recordings with audibility problems. |
|
1973-1974, undated | Exceptionally rich and illuminating narrative within several transcripts. |
Walladean, Walter | Undated | At least one transcript; a non-Indian. |
Wallowing, Rufus | 1956 | At least one transcript. |
Whistling Elk, C. [first name unidentified] | 1974, undated | No transcripts. |
White Dirt | - | - |
|
1973-1975, 1977, undated | A few transcripts. |
|
1973-1974 | At least one transcript; some recordings with audibility problems. |
White Man (Whiteman) | - | - |
|
1974, undated | At least one transcript. |
|
1973, undated | No transcripts. |
|
Undated | No transcripts. |
|
1974, undated | No transcripts. |
|
1973 | No transcripts. |
|
1974, undated | Exceptionally rich and illuminating narrative within several transcripts. |
White Moon, Paul | 1974 | At least one transcript. |
White Thunder, Ed | 1973 | At least one transcript. |
Winn-Bauder, Wayne | 1974 | No transcripts; a non-Indian. |
Wolf Voice, Grover | 1972-1974, undated | Exceptionally rich and illuminating narrative within several transcripts. |
Wooden Legs (Woodenlegs), John | 1972-1974, undated | Exceptionally rich and illuminating narrative within several transcripts. President of the Northern Cheyenne Nation for 15 years and active in bicultural education and curriculum development. |
Young Bear, Victor | 1973 | At least one transcript; an Assiniboine-Hidatsa Indian. |
[Surname unidentified], John | 1973 | At least one transcript; a board member of the Association on American Indian Affairs. |
Soaring Eagle Series 2. Heritage Project Transcripts: Selected transcripts from the series 1 recordings produced by Chief Clarence "Bisco" Spotted Wolf with contextual commentary transcribed by staff under his direction. Occasionally, the staff added more notes shown in brackets with their initials, e.g. RF = Renee Flood. Whenever speakers used English in the recordings, it is so noted in the transcript and the container list.
Staff of the Translation Project
Project Staff | Dates | Comments |
Spotted Wolf, Chief Clarence "Bisco" (1926-2011), Director and Translator | 1996-2011 | With the exception of transcript 000B, Chief Spotted Wolf translated all transcripts; served on Council of 44 Chiefs. |
Flood, Renee S., Assistant Director and Transcriber | 1996-2011 | Transcribed many interviews and coordinated the overall transcription process. |
Little Bird (Littlebird), Annie Joyce (Mrs. Harry) (-2010?), Interviewer | 1972-1973, undated | Conducted several interviews; a few transcribed; a few recordings have audibility problems. |
Little Bird (Littlebird), Harry, Interviewer | 1973 | Conducted at least one interview. |
Little Coyote, Joe, Interviewer | 1972-1974, undated | Conducted several interviews. Served as the Sacred Hat bundle keeper, 1973-ca. 1975, but resigned citing his lack of adequate prior knowledge; His father, Henry, and grandfather, Eugene, had served previously. |
Porter, James L. "Jamie", Assistant Transcriber | 1996-1997 | Transcribed several interviews. |
Restrictions: The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of the transcripts. When quoting from or reproducing all or portions of transcripts, researchers are requested to acknowledge the translator, Chief Clarence Spotted Wolf, as well as the speakers. The transcripts numbered 080, 213A, 246 and 259 are closed until 2054 (50 years after their creation). For further information, consult with the archivist in charge.
Soaring Eagle Series 3. Soaring Eagle Publications: This series includes book and DVD biographies of Father Emmett Hoffmann, recollections about Fintan Schaub, and Signals, the Soaring Eagle newsletter, which is now archived online.
Soaring Eagle Series 4. Fintan Schaub Motion Pictures: Recordings by Finton Schaub of students engaged in work, play, and Catholic religious activities at St. Labre School, Ashland, Montana, near the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. In 2014, archives staff reformatted the recordings to wav files.
More Related Resources
- Catholic Native America Collections: Checklist to Marquette special collections about native peoples.
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