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Dissertation Information for Jeffrey Philip Shepherd

NAME:
- Jeffrey Philip Shepherd

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- History

SCHOOL:
- Arizona State University (USA) (2002)

ADVISORS:
- Peter Iverson

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Robert A. Trennert Jr.
- Edward J. Escobar
- Octaviana Trujillo

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: Building an American Indian community: The Hualapai Nation in the twentieth century

Abstract: This dissertation discusses Hualapai history from the mid-19 th to the end of the 20 th century. It argues that connections with the land, tribal leaders, and a strong sense of community enabled Hualapais to adapt to life in modern America. Like many Indigenous people, Hualapais confronted forces beyond their control, but this dissertation emphasizes how they have persisted despite those changes. This study challenges assimilation-resistance models of culture by focusing on why Hualapais made particular decisions and it argues that the meaning of these changes tells us more than the material manifestations of change. By combining oral histories, fieldwork, and archival research, this dissertation offers a balanced discussion of a persistent and enduring community.

In the early 1800s decentralized bands constituted Northeastern Pai identity but by the 1940s, these bands coalesced into the Hualapai Nation. By discussing the evolution of Hualapai ethnic boundaries this study highlights how Native people define themselves over time. In the early reservation era Hualapais opposed land allotment because of cultural connections to the land and their reliance on it for sustenance. Moreover, they struggled to bring a boarding school close to them, and they participated in World War I to defend their community and country.

This dissertation contributes to the growing literature on American Indians in the 20 th century. This study argues that Hualapai government maintained legitimacy with the community because prominent families had leaders on the Tribal Council and the Council retained hereditary chiefs. During the mid 20 th century Hualapais won a Supreme Court Case against the Santa Fe Railway, promoted the Bridge Canyon Dam on the Colorado River, and struggled with the National Park Service to protect their sovereignty.

In the late 20 th century Hualapais continue to innovate and endure. Tribal leaders developed a language program to maintain cultural identity yet the community combated alcoholism, unemployment, and poor health care. In spite of these challenges Hualapais established a tourist industry and accepted federal grants for childcare, community planning, and preventative medicine. Although Hualapais face fundamental economic obstacles, they still hold onto their land and make their own choices about who they are and where they want to go as a community.


MPACT Scores for Jeffrey Philip Shepherd

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-04-06 18:16:06

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Students under Jeffrey Philip Shepherd

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- None