The First Convocation of American Indian Scholars

The First Convocation of American Indian Scholars brought together Native scholars, professional people, artists and traditional historians. Ten nonIndian scholars representing various disciplines attended. Participants were selected by a Steering Committee named by the American Indian Historical Society, sponsors. The Convocation was limited to 200 participants, and every effort was made to get a good cross-section of the Native peoples as to tribe, locality, academic discipline and profession.

Held in March 1970, at Princeton University, it involved 36 native students on an equal footing with academicians. The four-day Convocation heard four major presentations during the morning General Assembly sessions. Panels were held during the afternoons. Two evening sessions were held. The Convocation was conceived, organized, and directed entirely by Native Americans. No Federal or other governmental agency was involved in any part of the preparations, organization, or conduct of the Convocation. No political organization, social agency, or church was involved in any way.

View 1st Convocation Photo Album

The challenging thought, creative ideas, and the high level of both Presentations and Discussions will be an effective tool for the Native Peoples for years to come, and will affect the affairs of this nation more than appears possible today.

The Convocation was a milestone in the history of the Native American, and indeed it was a milestone in the history of this nation. The event proved beyond doubt that leadership exists among the Native American people, for all purposes of education, administration, economic development, and the general betterment of the American Indian.

This even will be continued, bringing together broader representation of the Native scholars, professionals, artists and Native historians in all disciplines, and increasing the participation of our elders, linguists, and religious leaders. Our goals are quite simple: to form a solid basis for educational accomplishment, and to unite our scholarly forces on behalf of our people.

[p. vii, Indian Voices: The First Convocation of American Indian Scholars, The Indian Historian Press, San Francisco, 1970]

Call for a Convocation

Never before in the history of this country has there been so much popular, scholarly, and governmental attention devoted to Indian affairs as during the past several years. As a consequence, there have never been so many challenges and so many opportunities for the Indian people. To be sure, some voices are being heard, both from the right and from the left, voices both of Indians speaking as individuals of their respective tribes, and as members of political groups; and voices of people who claim to speak for the Indian.

As always before in the past, however, there is very little true representation of Indians on the highest levels, where conclusions are drawn, decisions made, and long-range policies formulated. This is why the First Convocation of American Indian Scholars is called, to bring together not only scholars but Indian students, tribal leaders, and nonIndian friends, to explore the issues as these bear on the Indian people as a whole.

This is a call for Indian scholars to come together and take the lead in formulating clear-cut stands and goals on the issues. This is a call for Indian scholars to look to the mountaintops and to greatness in seeking a better life for our people; to demonstrate that we are not the inarticulate masses about whom so much benevolent concern has been voiced in the past.

The Indian people cannot afford not to take advantage of what is probably an unprecedented national mood of goodwill; for it will pass, as other such moods have passed before.

[p. 1, Indian Voices: The First Convocation of American Indian Scholars, The Indian Historian Press, San Francisco, 1970]

“It is not the purpose nor the intention of this Convocation to dictate policies or to make decisions which will affect all of our people, or to impose upon the sovereignty of the tribes. It is our purpose only to point out a direction, to provide the help needed to reach certain necessary goals, and to support our own people wherever and whenever they need us.

Among us, traditionally, the scholars are the servants of the people. The People reign supreme, by virtue of their right to approve or disapprove actions in all areas of life, and reason of their prerogative to protect individual and tribal rights. And so we say—let the people come for help to their own scholars. And let the scholars spend their very lives and energies in the service of their people.” (p.4)

[“Moment of Truth for the American Indian,” Rupert Costo, Keynote Address]

1. There was no recognition of the fact that the Native people have their own leaders, their own scholars, and outstanding students who will develop into individuals who can be depended upon to help their people.
2. INDIAN self-appointed leaders were stating that there were no Indian scholars, only two Indian engineers, four Indian doctors, and a mere handful of Indian teachers. This could only help the Federal government restrict Indian leadership, and restrain independent action and direction.
3. It was necessary to pull together the scholars, teachers, professional people, and Native traditional historians, to KNOW each other, cooperate with one another, and make themselves available to the Indian people.
4. Above all, it was necessary to bring to bear upon questions in education, philosophy, anthropology, religion and traditional beliefs, the particular expertise of the NATIVE scholar, and the Native historian. It was also necessary to have the traditional people there, so that the scholars themselves might understand that Whiteman’s education does not teach everything, and that there is a whole world of knowledge to be gained from the Native leaders and traditionalists.

[p. 12 of 1971 program]

Indian Voices: The First Convocation of American Indian Scholars
American Indian Historical Society, The Indian Historian Press, San Francisco, 1970

Table of Contents:
The Call for A Convocation
Moment of Truth for the American Indian
     Rupert Costo, Keynote Address
American Indian Philosophy and its Relation to the Modern World
     Alfonso Ortiz, Assembly Presentation
The Man Made of Words
     N. Scott Momaday, Assembly Presentation
Implications of the 1968 Civil Rights Act in Tribal Autonomy
     Vine Deloria, Jr., Assembly Presentation
The American Indian in American History
     Jeannette Henry
Innovations in Education
     Samuel Billison
Native American Studies Programs: Review and Evaluation
     W. Roger Buffalohead
Native Arts in America
     Fritz Scholder
Modern Psychology and Child Development: The American Indian Case
     Lionel deMontigny
Indian Land Development—Good or Bad Economics?
     Robert Bennett
Forms and Uses of Tribal Government
     Rupert Costo
Red Power: Real or Potential?
     Bea Medicine
The Urban Scene and the American Indian
     Vine Deloria, Jr.
Special Session. Responsibilities of the Foundations in Native American Programs
     Presentation by Bea Medicine
Special Session. Native Americans in the Textbook Literature
     Presentation by Jeannette Henry

Report on Resolutions
The Convocation Participants

Members of the American Indian Historical Society comprising the Steering Committee:
Rupert Costo, President; Alfonso Ortiz, Convocation Chairman; Edward P. Dozier, Joseph Senungetuk, Bea Medicine, Fritz Scholder, Robert Kaniatobe, Jeannette Henry.

The Convocation Participants

Participation in the Convocation of American Indian Scholars was by invitation, and approval of the Steering Committee. A maximum of 200 participants were anticipated, due to the limitation of facilities at Princeton University, and also due to the fact that a small groups was considered a better working format. Ten nonIndian scholars were invited and attended the Convocation. Four observers were in attendance. The Criteria for participation, as set up by the Steering Committee and approved by the American Indian Historical Society, were:
Scholars must be at least college graduates. Students shall be attending their institutions of higher education full time. Evidence must be shown that the student or scholar intends to pursue some professional or academic calling. Professional people were in attendance from the fields of the arts, medicine, social sciences, exact sciences, natural science, and the law. Native American historians were present from various tribes. These latter individuals were not required to have formal education, but it was required that they speak their Native language, be active in the tribe, and have a knowledge of their history. (p. 383)

NonIndian scholars:
Lowell J. Bean, California State College at Hayward
William Brandon, author and educator
Edward M. Bruner, University of Illinois at Urbana, anthropologist
Harold E. Driver, Indiana University at Bloomington, anthropologist
Bernard L. Fontana, University of Arizona, ethnologist
Richard I. Ford, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, professor in prehistory
Kenneth Hale, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, linguistics
Edward H. Spicer, University of Arizona at Tucson, anthropologist
William Sturtevant, Smithsonian Institution, anthropologist
Gary Orfield, Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of International Affairs

Indian scholars:
George H. Abrams, 30, Seneca, University of Arizona, Tucson, applied anthropology, Ph.D. candidate.
Andrew Acoya, 36, Laguna Pueblo. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, architecture, graduate student.
Lee Antell, 27, Chippewa, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, graduate student.
Russell Ayers, 67, Oklahoma Cherokee, Dartmouth College graduate, electronics and automation engineer.
Lee R. Bacon, 41, Choctaw, Mississippi Choctaw Reservation, Philadelphia, school counselor.
Benjamin Barney, 24, St. John’s College, Santa Fe, N.M., medicine.
Lew Barton, 52, Lumbee, Pembroke, North Carolina, teacher, author.
John W. Bates, 19, Omaha, Central State College, Edmond, Okla., business management.
Linda Belarde, 22, Tlingit, University of Washington, Seattle, special education.
Eugene Benally, 21, Navajo, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, finance.
Robert L. Bennett, 57, Oneida, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, law.
Samuel Billison, Navajo, University of Arizona, Tucson, Ph.D. candidate in educational administration.
Herb Blatchford, 42, Navajo, Gallup Indian Community Center, leadership training.
Henrietta Blueye, 22, Seneca, Radcliffe College, pre-medical.
Joseph Brown, S.J., 53, Blackfeet, Gonzaga University, Spokane, Wash., history.
W. Roger Buffalohead, Ponca, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, American Indian history.
Mary Gloyne Byler, Cherokee, Editor, Indian Affairs.
Philip Cassadore, 37, San Carlos Apache, University of Arizona, Tucson, linguist, singer, lecturer.
Herman Laluz Cata, 35, San Juan Tewa, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, graduate student, guidance and counseling.
Rachelle Laluz Cata, 28, Cochiti Pueblo, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, graduate student, education.
Rosemary Christensen, Chippewa, Upper Midwest Regional Educational Laboratory, history.
Edward L. Clark, Comanche, Arizona State University, graduate teaching assistant.
Solomon Cook, 50, St. Regis Mohawk, Cornell University, Ph.D., teacher-counselor; farmer.
John H. Compton, 40, Sioux, University of Iowa, Iowa City, assistant professor, social work.
Maria De Oca Corwin, 28, Seneca, Smith College School for Social Work graduate student.
Jeannette Henry Costo, 52, Eastern Cherokee, Ph.D. history, editor, The Indian Historian.
Rupert Costo, 63, Cahuilla, President, American Indian Historical Society; spokesman Cahuilla Indian Tribe of Southern California, engineer.
Raymond Cross, 24, Mandan-Hidatsa, Stanford University senior, political science.
George M. Crossland, 33, Osage, University of Chicago Law School.
Dorothy Davids, 46, Stockbridge-Munsee, education and human relations specialist.
Philip Sam Deloria, 28, Standing Rock Sioux, Yale Law School.
Vine Deloria, Jr., 36, Standing Rock Sioux, University of Colorado School of Law.
William G. Demmert, Jr., 36, Tlingit, Klawock public school, Alaska, administrator.
Denise Deane, 19, Arikara, Oberlin College, Ohio, government-history-law.
Louise Descheeny, 21, Navajo, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Indian education.
Lionel H. Demontigny, 34, Chippewa, University of Oregon Medical School, professor.
Brian Deering, 25, Iroquois, Caughnawaga Reservation, teacher, education.
Adolph L. Dial, 47, Lumbee, Pembroke State University, chairman of the Department of History and Political Science.
Patricia Ann Dixon, 21, Luiseño of Southern California, University of San Diego.
Wilbur V. Dixon, 43, Navajo, Navajo Community College, Edmond, Okla., associate professor, elementary education.
John E. Echohawk, 24, Pawnee, University of New Mexico School of Law, Albuquerque.
Emerson Eckiwardy, 41, Comanche, social worker.
Jack Edmo, 29, Shoshone-Bannock, Idaho State University, history.
Gloria Emerson, 30, Navajo, Harvard University, education.
Duane Evans, 33, Potawatomi, Kansas public schools, co-ordinator.
P. Michael Galvan, 19, Ohlone of California, St. Patrick’s College, Calif., history.
Velma M. Garcia, 24, Acoma Pueblo, University of Arizona, Tucson, cultural anthropology.
George A. Gill, 44, Omaha, Arizona State University, Tempe, assistant professor of education.
Jesse Greene, Nez Perce, Lapwai Nez Perce Reservation.
Ronald Halfmoon, 37, Umatilla, Washington State University, Pullman.
Benjamin Hanley, 28, Navajo, Arizona State University Law College
Kathryn Harris, 20, Comanche, Radcliffe College, sociology.
Annie Lee Henry, 32, Choctaw, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, education.
Frank Henry, 40, Choctaw, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, education.
Jerry M. Hill, 31, Oneida, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, education.
Bernard A. Hoehner, 46, Standing Rock Sioux, veterinarian.
Pare Hopa, 34, Maori (observer), New Zealand, assistant professor in anthropology.
Kathy Hurst, 20, Creek, Central State College, Edmond, Okla., business education.
Calvin J. Isaac, 36, Choctaw, Sequoyah High School, Tahlequah, Okla., teacher.
Wanda Janis, 21, Oglala Sioux, Augustana College.
Arthur S. Junaluska, Cherokee, dramatist, playwright, director.
Robert Kaniatobe, Choctaw, San Francisco State College, anthropology and native American Arts.
Gary Kimble, 28, Gros Ventre, University of Montana Law School, Missoula.
Travis F. Kinsley, 19, Papago-Hopi, Dartmouth College, psychology.
Vincent L. Knight, 24, Ponca, University of New Mexico Law School, Albuquerque.
Edmund D. Ladd, 44, Zuni archeologist, Hawaii National Park Service.
Frank Lapena, 32, Wintun, Shasta College teacher, Calif.
Marigold Linton, Cupeno, San Diego State college, professor psychology.
Joseph Little, 20, Mescalero Apache, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, English.
Peter Little, 33, Apache-Tewa, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, social welfare.
Charles Loloma, 46, Hopi, artist.
Simon Looking Elk, 32, Sioux, University of Dubuque, Iowa, ministry.
Edwin L. Madsen, 33, Flathead, University of Idaho, Moscow, administration.
Laverne Masayesva, Hopi, University of Arizona, Tucson, anthropology, linguistics.
N. Scott Momaday, Kiowa, University of California, professor of comparative English, author.
Bud Mason, 33, Arikara-Mandan, Black Hills State College, Spearfish, S.D., social psychology.
Bea Medicine, 30, Standing Rock Sioux, San Francisco State College, assistant professor, anthropology.
Ilarion Merculieff, 20, Aleut, University of Washington, Seattle, law.
Mrs. Arlene Millich, 31, Southern Ute, Ft. Lewis College, Durango, Colo., education.
Michael A. Misiaszek, 24, Colville, Gonzaga University, Spokane, Wash., business.
William Morgan, Sr., 51, Navajo, Navajo Community College, linguistics instructor.
Mrs. Joann S. Morris, 25, Chippewa, University of California, L.A., anthropology.
Harriett Marmon, 29, Laguna Pueblo, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, bilingual education.
Solomon McCombs, 54, Creek artist.
Harvey McCue, 25, Ojibway, Trent University, Canada, assistant professor, sociology.
Taylor McKenzie, 38, Navajo, Indian Hospital, Shiprock, N.M., physician.
Steve McLemore, 33, Cherokee-Pima, University of Oklahoma, Norman, environmental science.
Chris McNeil, 21, Tlingit, Stanford University, political science.
D’arcy McNickle, 65, Flathead, University of Saskatchewan, professor in anthropology, chairman of department.
Mary F. Nelson, 36, Colville, Eastern Washington State College, Cheney, assistant professor, art/anthropology.
Barry Nicholas, 27, Malecite, teacher, Indian education.
Rosalie Nichols, Miwok, University of California, Davis, graduate student, history.
Sparlin W. Norwood, 32, Cherokee, Central Jr. High School, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, teacher.
Dale Old Horn, 24, Crow, Montana State University, Bozeman, counseling.
Emmett Oliver, 55, Quinault, University of California, Los Angeles, Indian Culture Program.
Alfonso Ortiz, Tewa, Princeton University, associate professor anthropology.
Simon J. Ortiz, 28, Acoma Pueblo, Rough Rock Demonstration School, Poet.
Hurley Parkhurst, 35, Oneida, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, graduate, soil science.
Michael M. Paul, 34, Colville-Salish, artist.
Robert Penn, 22, Sioux, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, art.
James C. Peterson, 35, Blackfeet, Brigham Young University, Provo, sociology.
Mrs. Karen S. Peterson, 27, Cherokee, Western Carolina College, science.
Robert L. Pierce, 18, Seneca, State University of New York at Buffalo, social welfare.
Dillon Platero, 43, Navajo, director, Rough Rock Demonstration School.
Charles. A. Poitras, Jr., 31, Sac and Fox, Shawnee Reservation, leadership development.
Ann P. Rainer, 28, Taos, Stanford University, anthropology, pre-med.
Vincent E. Randall, 29, Camp Verde Apache, tribal government, education.
Coey Real Bird, 23, Montana State University, Bozeman, elementary education.
Helen Marie Redbird, Cherokee, Oregon College of Education, Monmouth, professor, social science.
David J. Red Fox, University of Oregon, Eugene, history, law.
Jacob Reynolds, 19, Cheyenne-Arapahoe, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, sociology.
Montana H. Richards, 57, Cherokee, Oregon College of Education, Monmouth, associate professor, humanities-education.
Jack R. Ridley, 35, Shoshone, University of Idaho, Moscow, assistant professor, physiology.
Dawn Good Elk (Reiker-stepfather's name), 21, Standing Rock Sioux, South Dakota, University of Oregon, Eugene: Public Affairs and Arts, University of Princeton, Graduate School — Anthropology and Art.
Leonard Robbins, 23, Navajo, Utah State University, Logan, natural resources, wildlife.
Donald D. Ross, Sioux, University of Omaha, Nebraska, education.
Herschel Sahmaunt, 36, Kiowa, Oklahoma City University, consultant.
Marlene Salway, 24, Blackfeet, University of Montana, Missoula, social worker.
Mrs. Catherine B. Sanders, 51, Cherokee, Cherokee Elementary School, North Carolina, teacher.
Joe Sando, 46, Jemez Pueblo, Talent Search Program, Albuquerque, N.M., history.
Buffy Sainte-Marie, Cree, singer, composer.
Kenneth L. Saupitty, 32, Comanche, Oklahoma College for Continuing Education, Norman.
Fritz Scholder, 32, Luiseño, artist, Santa Fe, N.M.
Joseph Senungetuk, 30, Eskimo, artist, writer.
Jackie Sine, 20, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, education.
Fred Smith, 30, Seminole, education, Hollywood, Florida.
Thelma Stiffarm, Gros Ventre-Cree, University of Montana, Missoula, law.
William A Thacker, 28, Paiute, rancher, farmer, Owyhee, Nevada.
Bobby Thompson, 24, Choctaw, University of Southern Mississippi, education.
Donald W. Wanatee, 37, Mesquakie, Central College, Pella, Iowa.
Kent C. Ware II, 28, Kiowa, Arizona State University Law School.
Wilfred C. Wasson, 45, Western Washington State College, Bellingham, education, anthropology.
James L. West, 24, Southern Cheyenne, Andover Newton Theological School.
Dick West, Jr., 27, Southern Cheyenne, Stanford University Law School.
Barry White, 19, Seneca, State University of New York at Buffalo.
Dennis R. White, 23, Chippewa, University of Wisconsin, Madison, graduate student, mathematics.
Elizabeth Whiteman, 22, Crow, University of Montana, education.
Richard N. Wilson, 33, Santee Sioux, University of Oregon, Eugene, education.
Saundra Wilson, 20, Sioux, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D., special education.
John R. Winchester, 48, Potawatomi, Michigan State University, Lansing, instructor.
Barbara Woelk, 21, Kiowa, Kansas University, Lawrence.
Floyd M. Wyasket, 23, Ute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, education.
Frederick Young, 37, Navajo, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, physicist.

Artists exhibiting their work:
Fred Beaver, Larry Bird, Blackbear Bosin, George Burdeau, T. C. Cannon, Robert Chee, Jimmie C. Fife, Henry Gobin, Barbara Goodluck, Joan Hill, Patrick Swazo Hinds, Allan Houser, John Hoover, Oscar Howe, Peter Jones, Fred Kabotie, Mike Kabotie, Yeffe Kimball, Otellie Loloma, Solomon McCombs, Leatrice Mikkelsen, Al Momaday, George Morrison, Lawney Reys, C. Terry Saul, Fritz Scholder, Bill Soza, Willard Stone, Jose Rey Toledo, Pablita Velarde, Dick West.

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