Overview of the Collection
Historical NoteIn 1947 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began what became known as the Indian Student Placement Program (ISPP). Encouraged and funded by the leadership of the LDS church, the objective of this program was to assimilate local Native Americans into the Mormon culture. Assimilation was to be accomplished by having members of the LDS church offer to act as foster parents to Native American youths, thereby providing the opportunity for a better education, Mormon religious influence, and life away from the reservation. In 1954 the ISPP was formally instituted by the LDS church. During the 1960s and 1970s the program had high enrollment, but by the 1980s the program was in decline and subject to mounting public criticism. With the 1985 death of the ISPP's strongest advocate, LDS president Spencer W. Kimball, the program lost much of its momentum. In 1990 the program was officially discontinued by the LDS church. Source: Smith, Jenny M., Beyond the Statistics: Indian Experiences in the Indian Student Placement Program, USU M.A. Thesis, 2003. (Available in USU Special Collections & Archives.) Content DescriptionThis single box collection contains the typescripts and cassette recordings of six oral history interviews conducted in 1999 by Jenny M. Smith for her M.A. thesis, "Beyond the Statistics: Indian Experiences in the Indian Student Placement Program." Those interviewed for Smith's thesis were all Native Americans who had been involved in the ISPP. Interview subjects were: Alvia J. Brown, Celina Jake, Edmond Jake, Durinda Tom, Orlando Tsosie, and one interviewee who wished to remain anonymous. Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access : Restrictions
Open to public research. Restrictions on Use : CopyrightIt is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Utah State University Libraries, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright. Permission to publish material from the Jenny M. Smith's Indian Student Placement Program oral histories must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head. Preferred Citation :Jenny M. Smith's Indian Student Placement Program oral histories, 1999. (COLL MSS 294). Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives Department. Administrative InformationDetailed Description of the Collection
Subjects
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