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Fort Snelling: A Contentious Ground

A partial list of core staff, faculty, and specialist lecturers:

  • DR. GARY CLAYTON ANDERSON (Professor of History, University of Oklahoma) has written numerous books and articles, including Kinsmen of Another Kind, an ethno-historical exploration of the events leading to the U.S.-Dakota War. Dr. Anderson will present "A Battle Within A War: The U.S./Dakota War in a Broader Context," national perspectives of the U.S./Dakota War of 1862 as they relate to the Themes: Economy, Expansion/Settlement, U.S./Dakota relations.
  • DR. JOHN ANFINSON’s (writer, naturalist and National Park Service Historian, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area) recently published book, The River We Have Wrought: A History of the Upper Mississippi, is the definitive examination of the river’s ecology and many uses over the years. His session "Natural History" will illuminate the natural features at the confluence of the rivers, their geological formation and that of St. Anthony Falls, and the fertile hunting grounds along the boundary of the forest and prairie, and connect their economic implications to the Themes: Economy, Expansion/Settlement.
  • DR. JANE LAMM CARROLL’s (Associate Professor of History, College of St. Catherine in St. Paul) fields of expertise include American social, constitutional and political history, American women's history, and Minnesota history (especially the 19th century). Her current research interests include women and reform in 19th century Minnesota. Dr. Carroll’s presentation, "Who was Jane Lamont? (Anglo-Dakota Daughters in early Minnesota)," will present her research on the biracial daughters of influential policymakers in territorial Minnesota as it connects to the Theme: U.S./Dakota Relations.
  • CHARLES O. DIESEN (Contract Archaeologist and retired MHS Curator of Archaeology) conducted extensive excavations and research at Fort Snelling. His excavation experiences at Fort Snelling make him an expert in the site’s history, reconstruction and unique qualities. Along with Pat Emerson (MHS Head of Archaeology) Mr. Diesen will supervise "Archaeology Bonanza!" a hands-on investigation of the archeological and documentary resources that helped inform the re-creation of the 1820’s era Historic Fort Snelling. Groups will cycle through stations including the “Under the Floorboards” multi-media exhibit, a mock excavation, and a tour of the Archeology Lab complete with artifact sorting activity. The "Archaeology Bonanza!" will end with a “best of” talk from Diesen as he describes great excavation moments at the Fort. Tools: Archaeology, Object Interpretation, and Sense of Place.
  • DR. DONALD L. FIXICO (Distinguished Foundation Professor of History, Arizona State University and former Newberry Fellow and Ford Fellow) an American Indian (Shawnee, Sac & Fox, Creek, Seminole) has written numerous books and articles, including The American Indian Mind in a Linear World: American Indian Studies and Traditional Knowledge, published in 2003. His teaching areas include American Indian History, U.S. History Before and After Reconstruction, Oral History, Ethnohistory. His research foci are American Indians and federal Indian policy in the 19th and 20th centuries; Seminole History; and Muscogee Creek History to which he applies socio-cultural history, policy history, ethnohistory and cross-cultural analysis. Dr. Fixico’s evening lecture, "Treaties and Policy" will present details of significant U.S-Dakota treaties and situate them within a national context of Indian Policy thus relating them to the Themes: U.S.-Dakota relations, westward expansion, economics
  • CHRIS GRIFFITH (artist, puppeteer and co-founder, Galumph Interactive Theater) has developed theater pieces utilizing multiple intelligences learning linked with Minnesota graduation standards to train teachers in arts integration and present workshops for artists and educators. He has been involved with Time Travel experiential teaching opportunities for years bringing history to life. Mr. Griffith and the master teacher will involve participants in How to use theater for multiple perspectives as they model techniques to explore different and often conflicting viewpoints. Tool: Role Playing.
  • TERRI PETERSON (Upper Sioux Community Member) is a tireless advocate for the preservation of the Dakota language. Her presentation, "Missions, Schools, and Farming" will acquaint participants with on the repercussions of national politics in efforts to alter Dakota culture through the Factory System (1806-22) and Agriculture, and Taliaferro’s Eatonville. Themes: U.S/Dakota relations, Expansion/Settlement.
  • LEONARD WABASHA (Manager, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community's Cultural Resources Department and Lower Sioux Community Member) is a direct descendent of Wabasha Chiefs. He is a Dakota Language & Cultural Educator. He has served as an advisor on the Diversity Foundation of the Twin Cities. Mr. Wabasha’s session, "A Day in the Life of a Dakota" illustrates the seasonal lifestyle of the Dakota, their residence in the area, and their interaction with the Ojibwe. He will introduce Dakota notions of land use and ownership in this natural setting, with regards to Pike’s treaty in 1805. Theme: U.S./Dakota relations.
  • DR. BRUCE WHITE (noted anthropologist and researcher) has worked at the Minnesota Historical Society as well as the University of Minnesota. His research centers largely on Native-White interactions within the fur trade, and he has published specifically on the cultural history of the fur trade at Fort Snelling. His "The Power of Whiteness," a detailed examination of the culture and economy of the fur trade in Minnesota, will be the basis of his presentation, "The Power of Whiteness or, The Life and Times of Joseph Rolette, Jr." In it Dr. White will address the complex relationships between Indian trappers, fur traders, and government agents in the declining years of the fur trade. Theme: Economy.
  • DR. DAVID WOODARD’s (History Department Faculty, Concordia University) research has dealt with American Foreign Policy (including U.S. Indian Policy), from the colonial period through the Civil War.
  • ERIK HOLLAND (Fort Snelling: A Contentious Ground Project Director), a fourth-generation educator, has worked in educational programming and events at historic sites for more than 30 years. He is Chair of the Educators’ and Interpreters’ Committee for the American Associaton for State and Local History, and serves on the board of the Museum Education Roundtable. In North Dakota, Wisconsin, Virginia he developed thematic traveling-trunk exhibits, organized and presented programs, and teacher institutues dovetailing teaching standards and hands-on experiences with primary source materials including artifacts, photographs and documents as well as activities and teacher resources for developing critical thinking skills from multiple perspectives. Since moving to Minnesota his energy, knowledge, connections and understanding of site operations, programs, and teacher needs combined with logistical support abilities have been vital to the success of many Minnesota Historical Society Teachers’ Workshops. He will be continuously involved with Fort Snelling: A Contentious Ground.
  • ALEAH VINICK (Fort Snelling: A Contentious Ground Project Assistant Director) is the teacher education associate at the Minnesota Historical Society, where she supports development and delivery of workshops for teachers. She is a licensed social studies teacher, and has worked for five years as a museum and classroom educator at sites as diverse as Colonial Williamsburg and the Museum of Questionable Medical Devices. She also coordinated the committee for this grant proposal! Aleah holds a bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Grinnell College, and is currently a Master’s in Education candidate at the University of Minnesota.