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Gladys Reichard and Western Native American Culture

Derek Cook

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Published in Uncommon Anthropologist: Gladys Reichard And Western Native American Culture

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Gladys Reichard was an American anthropologist and linguist who conducted pioneering research on Western Native American culture. Her work on the Navajo, Ute, and Coeur d'Alene peoples has been highly influential in the field of anthropology. Reichard was one of the first anthropologists to use participant observation to study Native American culture, and she was also an accomplished linguist who recorded and analyzed Native American languages.

Uncommon Anthropologist: Gladys Reichard and Western Native American Culture

by Cecilie Okada

4.8 out of 5

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Early Life and Education

Gladys Amy Reichard was born in 1888 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Her father was a minister and her mother was a schoolteacher. Reichard attended Wellesley College, where she studied philosophy and psychology. After graduating from Wellesley in 1909, Reichard worked as a teacher and a social worker. In 1919, she enrolled in the graduate program in anthropology at Columbia University. Franz Boas, the father of American anthropology, was one of Reichard's professors at Columbia. Boas had a profound influence on Reichard, and she adopted his commitment to scientific fieldwork and cultural relativism.

Fieldwork with the Navajo

In 1922, Reichard began her fieldwork with the Navajo people of the American Southwest. She lived among the Navajo for several years, learning their language and customs. Reichard was one of the first anthropologists to use participant observation to study Native American culture. She lived in Navajo hogans (traditional dwellings),ate Navajo food, and participated in Navajo rituals. Reichard's work with the Navajo culminated in the publication of her book, Social Life of the Navajo Indians (1928). This book was a groundbreaking study of Navajo culture, and it remains one of the most influential works in the field of anthropology.

Work with the Ute and Coeur d'Alene

After completing her work with the Navajo, Reichard conducted fieldwork with the Ute and Coeur d'Alene peoples. Her work with the Ute focused on their language and religion. Reichard's work with the Coeur d'Alene focused on their mythology and storytelling. Reichard's work with these three tribes has provided a wealth of information about Western Native American culture.

Contributions to Anthropology

Gladys Reichard was a pioneering anthropologist who made significant contributions to the field. Her work on the Navajo, Ute, and Coeur d'Alene peoples has been highly influential in the field of anthropology. Reichard was one of the first anthropologists to use participant observation to study Native American culture, and she was also an accomplished linguist who recorded and analyzed Native American languages. Reichard's work has helped to increase our understanding of Western Native American culture, and she has inspired generations of anthropologists to continue her work.

Legacy

Gladys Reichard died in 1955 at the age of 66. She left behind a legacy of groundbreaking research on Western Native American culture. Reichard's work has had a profound influence on the field of anthropology, and she is considered to be one of the most important anthropologists of the 20th century. Reichard's work continues to be read and studied by anthropologists today, and her legacy will continue to inspire generations of scholars to come.

Uncommon Anthropologist: Gladys Reichard and Western Native American Culture

by Cecilie Okada

4.8 out of 5