Who We Were, Is Not Who We Are: Wa.zha.zhe Representations, 1960-2010

Abstract

My thesis examines whether the over-use of outdated descriptions of Osage Indians contributes to the perpetuation of stereotypes through an examination of the relationship between the historical and anthropological texts and museum exhibits produced between 1960 and 2010. Stereotypes about American Indians in general affect tribes in various ways therefore grouping American Indians together is a stereotype in and of itself. By studying how one tribe has been represented to the general public I am able to see more clearly how such stereotypes are formed and why these beliefs last over time. The time period I chose to study includes a period of social change in the way the Osage have been presented in history, anthropology, and museum studies. I will employ content analysis and coding to examine the data collected from books, articles, and museum exhibits. I will separate the descriptions by field of study in order to determine which field or methods produce well rounded descriptions of the Osage People. The time period between first encounters till the end of the Indian Wars make for popular subjects of writing and research of American Indians. As a result, few studies have been conducted that look at the Osage as members of present society or the impact recent historic events have had on them. I will use my study of Osage representations as a case by which to explore this phenomenon and how over use of historical representations contributes to the stereotyping of the Osage and other American Indian Peoples.