1926, English, Unpublished edition: Gertrude and Raymond Bonnin Collection Bonnin, Gertrude; Bonnin, Raymond

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Gertrude and Raymond Bonnin Collection
 
Bookmark: http://trove.nla.gov.au/version/435920
Physical Description
  • 15 boxes (7.25 linear feet)
  • Letters, Pamphlets, Drafts (Documents), Photographs
Published
  • L. Tom Perry Special Collections
  • 1926-1938
Language
  • English

Edition details

Title
  • Gertrude and Raymond Bonnin Collection
Creator
  • Bonnin, Gertrude
  • Bonnin, Raymond
Published
  • L. Tom Perry Special Collections
  • 1926-1938
Physical Description
  • 15 boxes (7.25 linear feet)
  • Letters, Pamphlets, Drafts (Documents), Photographs
Subjects
Notes
  • Gertrude Bonnin is a central figure in twentieth century Indian reform. Gertrude's self-chosen Indian name was Zitkala-Sa, which means "Red Bird." Her immense efforts to transform the system that dealt with Native Americans helped bring attention to abuses that were too often overlooked. Not only was Gertrude instrumental in promoting legislation favorable to the Indians, she spent a great deal of her time among the Native Americans in an attempt to educate and organize them for greater strength through unity. She was a strong and continuing voice against the effects of the Dawes Act of 1887. This collection consists of 15 archival boxes of the correspondence, personal history, and business papers of Raymond and Gertrude Bonnin, with the bulk of the collection focussed on Gertrude's activities Although the chronological range of the collection is wide, the majority of the materials are from the period of the National Council of American Indians (NCAI), which existed from 1926 until Gerturde's death in 1938. Many prominent political advocates for Native American rights, individuals on the reservations, and civilians active in the relief efforts are featured in the material, making this collection a unique collaboration of many voices. Gertrude Bonnin is a central figure in twentieth century Indian reform. Gertrude's self-chosen Indian name was Zitkala-Sa, which means "Red Bird." Her immense efforts to transform the system that dealt with Native Americans helped bring attention to abuses that were too often overlooked. Not only was Gertrude instrumental in promoting legislation favorable to the Indians, she spent a great deal of her time among the Native Americans in an attempt to educate and organize them for greater strength through unity. She was a strong and continuing voice against the effects of the Dawes Act of 1887.She was born at the Yankton Indian Agency in South Dakota on 22 February 1876. Gertrude's mother was Tate I Yohin Win ("Reaches for the Wind"), whose American name was Ellen Simmons, a full-blooded Yankton Sioux. Her parents parted before her birth, and she never knew her father, a white man named Felker; Gertrude was called by her mother's surname, Simmons. Gertrude's mother never learned English despite her three marriages to white men, and this effectively isolated Gertrude from the white world during her early years (2).Gertrude lived on the Pine Ridge Reservation with limited responsibility and no conventional education; she knew only the Lakota language until the age of seven. Gertrude's days consisted of exploration and discovery. In her book,American Indian Stories, Gertrude describes herself as being "free as the wind that blew [her] hair, and no less spirited than a bounding deer. (3)"In 1883, at the age of seven Gertrude left home for the White's Indian Manual Labor Institute in Wabash, Indiana. Against her mother's better judgment, Gertrude chose to follow her brother's path to this school, operated my missionaries (4). Upon arrival at school, Gertrude first discovered a rather traumatic "civilized" life: shoes, short hair, schedules, and the English language. Gertrude grew bitter about her regimented life, institutionalized neglect, and the complete disregard for her native culture (5). This ended when, in 1886, Gertrude returned to the pine Ridge Reservation for four years. There, she found further unhappiness and alienation because her education, language, and dress isolated her from her mother and former friends. Gertrude returned to White's Institute for another three-year program in 1891 in an attempt to find happiness through further education. Much to her mother's chagrin, Gertrude, at the age of nineteen, entered Ealham College at Richmond, Indiana, in 1895 (6).Earlham was not an Indian school, and Gertrude remained an outsider there. Her greatest accomplishment while at Earlham was winning a state-wide speech contest as the college's representative (7). Changes came, however, in 1897: illness prevented Gertrude from completing school, and instead she began teaching at the Federal Indian School at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She left this post because of disagreements with the establishment--the slogan of the school's superintendent was "Kill the Indian and save the man"-- and went to study violin at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston in 1899 (8).At this time, Gertrude wrote several articles that appeared in publications such asHarper's MonthlyandEverybody's Magazine. These appeared under the name Zitkala-Sa, as did her first book,Old Indian Legends, published in 1901. These pieces clearly illustrate Gertrude's adamant stance on the retention of her Native American culture. In the April 1900 issue ofHarper's Bazaarappeared an item about Gertrude in their column entitled, "Persons Who Interest Us":Zitkala-Sa is of the Sioux tribe of Dakota and until her ninth year was a veritable savage, running wild over the prairie and speaking no language but her own... She has also published lately a series of articles in a leading magazine...which display a rare command of English and artistic feeling (9).Although she had thought of marrying Carlos Montezuma, Gertrude married Raymond Telephause Bonnin, also a Yankton Sioux, on 9 May 1902, in South Dakota; he was born on 17 June 1880. Raymond was an Indian Bureau employee, and the Bonnins were transferred to the Uintah and Ouray Reservation in Utah shortly after their marriage. Their son Alfred O. Bonnin (called Ohiya), was born on 28 May 1903 (10). While in Utah, Gertrude participated a great deal in the social improvement of its Native American residents. She taught at the Whiterocks Boarding School on the Uintah Reservation, worked as a clerk in the Indian Service, preformed community center work, organized sewing classes and lunch programs, started a children's band, and collaborated with William Hanson on a Native American opera,The Sun Dance(11).In 1916, Gertrude moved to Washington, D.C., to work as the secretary of the Society of American Indians; by 1919, she was the editor of that society'sAmerican Indian Magazine. During a nationwide lecture tour in 1918, Gertrude covered the topics of citizenship for Native Americans, peyote suppression, and the need for better educational opportunities for Indians (12). Raymond served in the army during World War I as was honorably discharged as a captain in 1919. At this point, both Bonnins dedicated themselves entirely to the improvement of the lives of all Native Americans.Both Gertrude and Raymond worked as lobbyists in Washington, D.C., from 1920 through 1926, representing a variety of Indian individuals and tribes before governmental departments and congressional hearings. Gertrude also attended conventions of the General Federation of Women's Clubs in Atlantic City and Salt Lake City in 1921. In Utah, she made a successful plea for the formation of an Indian Welfare Committee. The following year brought tours of Women's Clubs in the south on which Gertrude emphasized the need for granting citizenship to Native Americans. In 1923, Gertrude toured the Midwest, spoke to various men's and women's clubs, and stressed the need for citizenship. November and December of that year were spent working for the General Federation of Women's Clubs, investigating abuses of Indians, particularly regarding oil rights.In collaboration with Matthew K. Sniffen of the Indian Rights Association and Charles Faben of the American Indian Defense Association, Gertrude publishedOklahoma's Poor Rich Indians: An Orgy of Graft and Exploitation of the Five Civilized Tribes--Legalized Robbery; this led to the formation of the Meriam Commission and the subsequent appointment by President Hoover of members of the Indian Rights Association to the top two positions in the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Native Americans were also granted the right to United States citizenship in 1924 (13).In 1926, the National Council of American Indians was created at Washington, D.C., to which Gertrude was elected as president and Raymond as secretary (14). Her widespread lecturing stopped and she focused on effectively representing the plight of the Native American peoples to the United States Congress.During the remainder of Gertrude's life, she continually traveled among as many tribes as possible in order to learn about their needs. She also organized local chapters of the National Council of American Indians so that each tribe would have the ability to band together to solve their problems, both among themselves and with the outside community. Perhaps more important, this strength also facilitated the propagation of their cultures. Gertrude felt that the most effective progress could only be made through united efforts, and this unity is what she attempted to create; her local chapters of the NCAI worked to improve the state of the Native American both locally and nationally.Gertrude Bonnin did not stop working for the Native Americans until her death in January 1938 from cardiac dilation and kidney disease. She was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Raymond T. Bonnin died on 24 September 1942 and was buried at her side.Works Cited(1) G.A. W. to Ernest L. Wilkinson, 15 June 1951. Bonnin Collection(2) Agnes M. Picotte, foreword toAmerican Indian Stories, by Zitkala-Sa. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1985. Reprint of 1901 edition.(3)American Indian Stories, p. 8.(4) Ibid., 39-46.(5) Ibid., 47-69.(6) Ibid., 69-80.(7) Ibid., 75-80.(8) Ibid., 81-99.(9)Harper's Bazaar( April 1900), p. 330.(10) Picotte,xv. Many sources refer to Ohiya as Raymond, Ray, or Raymie--not official names, but commonly used because of his father's name.(11) Dexter Fisfer, foreword toAmerican Indian Stories, xiv.(12) Ibid.,xv.(13) Ibid.,xv-xvi.(14) Ibid.,xvi. 1876Born on February 22 at Yankton Indian Agency, South Dakota, to Ellen Simmons and white father.1883At age 7, speaking English, Gertrude leaves the reservation to attend school at White's Indian Manual Labor Institute in Wabash, Indiana.1886After three years at White's Institute, Gertrude returns to live with her mother at the Yankon Agency.1891Returns to White's Institute for a second three-year course.1895At age 19, against her mother's wishes, Gertrude returns to school in the east, enrolling at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana.1898-99Teaches at Carlisle School. Leaves to study music (violin) at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.1899-1900Writes short stories under the name Zitkala-Sa which appear inThe Atlantic Monthly,Harper's Monthly, andEverybody's Magazine. Travels with the Carlisle School Indian Orchestra to the Paris Exposition of 1900 and preforms as violin soloist.1901Zitkala-Sa's book,Old Indian Legends, is published by Ginn &​ Co. She becomes engaged to marry Carlos Montezuma.1902Breaks engagement with Montezuma. Marries Raymond T. Bonnin, also a Yankton Sioux, in South Dakota. Raymond is an Indian Bureau employee, and soon after their marriage, the Bonnins are transferred to the Uintah and Ouray Reservation in Utah.1903A son, Raymond O. Bonnin (called Ohiya), is born to Raymond and Gertrude.1904-06Teaches at Whiterocks Boarding School, Uintah Reservation, Utah.1907-12Works as clerk in the Indian Service.21913Collaborates with Professor William Hanson of Brigham Young University on a Native American opera,The Sun Dance.1913-15Under the auspices of the Society of American Indians, performs community center work among Indians of the Unitah and Ouray Reservation.1916-19Is secretary of the Society of American Indians. Moves to Washington, D.C., in 1916. In 1919 is made editor of the SAI'sAmerican Indian Magazine.1917-19Raymond serves in the U.S. Army during World War I. Honorably discharged as captain, Quartermaster Corps.1918Gertrude embarks on a nationwide lecture tour on the topics of citizenship for American Indians, peyote suppression, and the need for better educational and school opportunities for Native Americans.1921Attends conventions of the General Federation of Women's Clubs at Atlantic City, New Jersey, and later Salt Lake City, Utah. At the Salt Lake City convention, makes a successful plea for the formation of an Indian Welfare Committee. This committee is headed by Mrs. Stella Atwood. Ginn and Company publishesAmerican Indian Stories.1920-26Along with her husband Raymond, works as lobbyist, representing a wide variety of Indian individuals and tribes before governmental departments and congressional committees.1922Tours southern states speaking before women's clubs on behalf of the Native Americans, especially emphasizing the need to grant all Indians U.S. citizenship.1923Tours Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, speaking before men's and women's clubs on the theme that Indian citizenship does not equal justice. Spends November and December in Oklahoma as a research agent for the Indian Welfare Committee of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, investigating the abuses of the Indians there, particularly with regard to reservation oil rights. Works along with Matthew K. Sniffen of the Indian Rights Association and Charles Fabens of the American Indian Defense Association. Results of this investigation are published by the Indian Defense Association inOklahoma's Poor Rich Indians..1924Individual Citizenship Act grants citizenship to all non citizen Indians born within the United States.1926The National Council of American Indians is formed at Washington, D.C. Gertrude Bonnin is elected president, Raymond Bonnin secretary. June to November, makes auto trip to visit all tribes in Oklahoma and South Dakota.1926-27December to June, returns to Washington, D.C. Continues to represent American Indian interests before the various governmental departments and congressional committees.1927June to November, makes another trip west by automobile to visit Indians in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Utah.1928Summer and fall, does preparatory field work for Senate investigation of Indian conditions along with Raymond, who is employed as an investigator for a Congressional committee.1929Visits Cherokee Indians in North Carolina and is instrumental in cleanup of Indian Service employees there. Begins to write and publish an "Indian Newsletter," written in the simplest language for distribution to all American Indians in response to a general lack of information available to the Indians.1932The Bonnins urge the Dakota Sioux to support the Democratic Party in the national elections.1926-38The Bonnins continue to organize local chapters of the National Council of American Indians on reservations throughout the United States, and continue to lobby for Indian interests in Washington, D.C. Gertrude also continues to lecture to various civic groups although on a much smaller scale than in previous years.1938Gertrude Bonnin dies on 26 January of cardiac dilation and kidney disease in Washington, D.C. Services are held in the Washington LDS chapel, and she is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. This collection consists of 15 archival boxes of the correspondence, personal history, and business papers of Raymond and Gertrude Bonnin, with the bulk of the collection focusses on Gertrude's acclivities. Although the chronological range of the collection is wide, the majority of the materials are from the period of the National Council of American Indians (NCAI), which existed from 1926 until Gertrude's death in 1938. Many prominent political advocates for Native American rights, individuals on the reservations, and civilians active in the relief efforts are featured in the material, making this collection a unique collaboration of many voices.Most of the Bonnin Collection is composed of documents from this period of reform (1926-38). It includes both personal and business correspondence, although the two categories are not always easily delineated. Charters for local chapters of the NCAI, congratulatory letters from friends, letters of thanks from both Indians and senators, invitations to speak, and Gertrude'sIndian Newsletterall illustrate Gertrude's dedication to her people and the responsibility she felt toward their improvement.Unfortunately, much of the material left by the Bonnins was destroyed by a member of the staff of Ernest L. Wilkinson's law firm, which handled the Bonnin papers after the death of Gertrude and Raymond. Despite this loss, much valuable information was preserved. Some important figures from this period of Indian reform frequently appear in the Bonnin collection. One such figure is Oran Curry, a Ute whom the Bonnins practically raised--there was even some question after Raymond's death as to whether Oran had been officially adopted. Oran was instrumental in giving Raymond the rights of attorney from the Utes and kept the Bonnins in contact with the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. Business correspondence between Gertrude and other Native American activists and figures also survived. All the heads of the Bureau of Indian Affairs are represented in this record, as well as several influential U.S. Senators such as Lynn Frazier. Perhaps most notably, John Collier was an early colleague of Gertrude's, and their relationship lasted for many years, although it was not always particularly friendly.A sizeable amount of correspondence to and from Ernest L. Wilkinson also exists. It was Wilkinson's firm which was so important in the Ute land claims that Raymond championed. After the Bonnins died, Wilkinson also handled the affairs of their estate. Much of this correspondence involved periphery members of the Bonnin family, those who did not appear with much regularity in the earlier business letters. Alfred (Ohiya) and his wife, Elsie Elisabeth Eichhorn Bonnin, had four children who inherited money from Raymond and who are often discussed in these letters: Raymond Ohiya, Jr., Joseph Barnabe, Joan Joy, and Ralph Louis. Raymond remarried, after Gertrude's death, to Emma Bonnin. This collection consists of many existing articles saved from both the Bonnins' and Ernest Wilkinson's offices. Much of the collection is of obvious research value, while other items are as menial as telephone messages and scraps of arithmetic. The collection is divided into five main series: (1) the personal papers and writings of Gertrude and Raymond Bonnin; (2) personal and business correspondence (including many related documents concerning the operations of the National Council of American Indians and Indian affairs in general); (3) United States Government publications and associated documents; (4) miscellaneous items; and (5) photographs. Series Two (correspondence) posed a peculiar problem, as much of it is both personal and buisness-related. For this reason, the correspondence is all in one group; with a few exceptions, correspondences with major figures (i.e. Oran Curry, John Collier) in the collection have been isolated and arranged chronologically. (The most notable exceptions are Carlos Montezuma, the photocopies of whose letters to and from Gertrude make up Box 2 Folder2, and Ernest L. Wilkinson, whose correspondence with the Bonnins comprises all of Box 10.) Other related letters and documents remain in the correspondence section, also in chronological order. There was no organization to these papers when they came to the BYU Archives; thus the current arrangement has been imposed by the archival staff. Four photographs are also included in Box 15, Folder 15.
  • MSS 1704
Terms of Use
  • Open for public use. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.Permission to publish material from the Gertrude and Raymond Bonnin Collection must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/​or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.
Language
  • English
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