Sharon Eagleman and Angel De Cora
Native American women have contributed to the field of education in many ways. One of the earliest educators, Susette La Flesche Tibbles, traveled and spoke in the nineteenth century. Ella Cara Deloria[1]devoted her life to the study of the language and culture of the Sioux (Dakota and Lakota) and spent her life teaching it to others. Last time we related the fascinating story of Doris Leader Charge who was multi-talented. While working as a language instructor on the set of Dances with Wolves, her speaking ability was noted and she was offered a part in the movie.[2]
This week we will share stories of Sharon Eagleman, Education research Analyst and Angel De Cora (1871-1919) Illustrator, Educator. These women like so many indigenous women had to overcome many obstacles in order to pursue their goals. Diane Glancy (picture to the right) has pointed out that women have to work to establish themselves. Sharon Eagleman and Angel De Cora are an inspiration to others who want to be achievers.
Sharon Eagleman, (Sioux, Education research Analyst)
Have you ever been to a powwow? My daughter had the privilege of attending a powwow in Oregon a few weeks ago. It was very informative. She had a wonderful time speaking to the Native Americans about their heritage. She said that they performed some dances including a Jingle Dress dance.
Champion Jingle Dress dancer Sharon Eagleman is an enrolled member of the Ft. Peck Sioux Assiniboine/Little Travers Band of Ottawa. As a champion Jingle Dress dancer, Sharon has spent her life traveling the “powwow circuit”.
Sharon explains the significance of the powwow as a place where family and friends get together in the following interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e2KZLpdnng
The powwows are important for non-natives as a way to learn more about indigenous culture, as my daughter did. Dancing is important and is used during naming ceremonies. Dances are also a part of celebrations such as graduations and when members of the tribe leave home for college or the military.
Sharon Eagleman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Montana State University-Billings. She also has a Master of Education degree in educational leadership from North Dakota State University. As an education research analyst at Haskell Indian Nations University, Sharon has worked with American Indian students in higher education to help them succeed.
Angel De Cora (Winnebago, 1871-1919) Painter, Illustrator, and Educator – First Native American Graduate of Smith College (class of 1896).
Hinook-Mahiwi-Kilinaka was born in a wigwam on the Winnebago Reservation is what is now Thurston, Nebraska. Her name means Woman Coming on the Clouds in Glory. This is close to the English name she used – Angel. Her grandfather was the chief of their tribe. Her father was David “Tall” De Cora and her mother, who was convent educated, was from a prominent Winnebago family.
Angel attended a reservation school until around age 12. Then she and some other Winnebago boys and girls were sent to the Hampton Institute, a boarding school in Virginia. This school had originally been founded for African Americans. In 1878 seventeen former plains warriors were admitted to Hampton. They had been held in prison in Florida since their capture during the wars against the indigenous peoples. This was the government’s way of giving them a chance for a better life.
In reality, one of the purposes of the government in educating the Native Americans was to strip them of their culture and teach them to be good U.S. citizens. Today we find this appalling but back in the nineteenth century it was felt that educating the tribal peoples was the best way to help them move forward. On the one hand, an education would help Native Americans who wanted to go out of their tribal land and do other things. On the other hand, it meant leaving behind family and friends who stayed on the reservation.
It was a hard choice. Angel De Cora wanted to pursue art. She was very gifted in both music and art. After returning home to the reservation to be with her family, she decided to return Hampton in 1888. She graduated in 1891 and went on to study music at Miss Burnham’s Classical School for Girls. She entered Smith College to study art. She graduated in 1896 becoming the first Native American woman to graduate at Smith.
Angel went on to further training at the Drexel Institute in Philadelphia where she was recognized as a gifted painter. She began doing illustrations for Harper’s magazine. She studied with Howard Pyle for two years. He recognized her ability and encouraged her to paint in her own style. Angel would become renowned for her Tonalist style – a style that emphasized mood and shadow. Some of her most famous paintings contained firelight as she fondly remembered her childhood on the plains of Nebraska.
Howard Pyle praised Angel as having not only talent but genius. He was constantly encouraging her to publish but he also realized that she faced many obstacles to recognition because she was not only an American Indian, but a woman. Angel herself was modest and did not put herself forward. She wrote several semiautobiographical stories, “The Sick Child” and “Gray Wolf’s Daughter for several issues of Harper’s Monthly. She also wrote an autobiographical article published in The Red Man magazine in 1911 (Vol. 3, No. 7). You can find all of these online.
During the summer of 1898 she produced the oil painting entitled “Lafayette’s Headquarters”. It was the only one of her works that did not include indigenous subjects.
Angel loved to paint indigenous people. She often depicted them in contemporary mainstream clothing. She illustrated stories for Native American children.
These books are still available and include:
Wigwam Stories, Mary Catherine Judd (1901)
Old Indian Legends, edited by Zitkala-Ša (also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin), published in 1895, 1904, and 1985
Yellow Star by Elaine Goodale Eastman (1911, 1931).
In 1904 Angel met William Henry “Lone Star” Dietz. After they married, William collaborated with Angel in her illustrations. She taught at Carlisle Indian School in 1906 using art to teach the children about their native heritage. She instilled pride in them for their work. She also taught them to use their creativity to produce marketable art.
Angel took a great interest in design. She believed that “designing is the best channel in which to convey the native qualities of the Indian’s decorative talent.” Her illustrations for Mary Catherine Judd’s Wigwam Storiesshow not only some beautiful landscapes but other depictions “are distinctly illustrative and portray intricately detailed objects and figures, as seen in her Harper’s stories.” De Cora’s headpiece and initial designs for the book were probably inspired by her coursework in decoration at the museum school.”[3]
Both Native and non-Native audiences appreciate Angel De Cora’s work. She was hailed as America’s most widely known pre-WWI Native American artist. Sadly, few of her works remain. The illustrations that have survived give us an enchanting glimpse of Native American life on the plains in the nineteenth century.
Angel died of pneumonia at only 47 years of age. Her work has helped to change the stereotypical attitudes towards indigenous people. Her graphic design work is still appreciated by many into today’s visual world.
[1] See her story on this website at, https://authormarywalker.com/native-american-women-in-education/
[2] You can obtain Dances with Wolves in many places; here is a link to Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Dances-Wolves-Kevin-Costner/dp/B000IZ5F2K
[3] Linda M. Waggoner. Fire Light: The Life of Angel De Cora, Winnebago Artist. (University of Oklahoma Press, 2008) p. 91-93
Native American Women in Education
I think native women and women in general have to work toward the establishment of self. Diane Glancy (Cherokee, Calvin Center for Faith and Writing)
Sharon Eagleman and Angel De Cora
Native American women have contributed to the field of education in many ways. One of the earliest educators, Susette La Flesche Tibbles, traveled and spoke in the nineteenth century. Ella Cara Deloria[1]devoted her life to the study of the language and culture of the Sioux (Dakota and Lakota) and spent her life teaching it to others. Last time we related the fascinating story of Doris Leader Charge who was multi-talented. While working as a language instructor on the set of Dances with Wolves, her speaking ability was noted and she was offered a part in the movie.[2]
This week we will share stories of Sharon Eagleman, Education research Analyst and Angel De Cora (1871-1919) Illustrator, Educator. These women like so many indigenous women had to overcome many obstacles in order to pursue their goals. Diane Glancy (picture to the right) has pointed out that women have to work to establish themselves. Sharon Eagleman and Angel De Cora are an inspiration to others who want to be achievers.
Sharon Eagleman, (Sioux, Education research Analyst)
Have you ever been to a powwow? My daughter had the privilege of attending a powwow in Oregon a few weeks ago. It was very informative. She had a wonderful time speaking to the Native Americans about their heritage. She said that they performed some dances including a Jingle Dress dance.
Champion Jingle Dress dancer Sharon Eagleman is an enrolled member of the Ft. Peck Sioux Assiniboine/Little Travers Band of Ottawa. As a champion Jingle Dress dancer, Sharon has spent her life traveling the “powwow circuit”.
Sharon explains the significance of the powwow as a place where family and friends get together in the following interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e2KZLpdnng
The powwows are important for non-natives as a way to learn more about indigenous culture, as my daughter did. Dancing is important and is used during naming ceremonies. Dances are also a part of celebrations such as graduations and when members of the tribe leave home for college or the military.
Sharon Eagleman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Montana State University-Billings. She also has a Master of Education degree in educational leadership from North Dakota State University. As an education research analyst at Haskell Indian Nations University, Sharon has worked with American Indian students in higher education to help them succeed.
Angel De Cora (Winnebago, 1871-1919) Painter, Illustrator, and Educator – First Native American Graduate of Smith College (class of 1896).
Hinook-Mahiwi-Kilinaka was born in a wigwam on the Winnebago Reservation is what is now Thurston, Nebraska. Her name means Woman Coming on the Clouds in Glory. This is close to the English name she used – Angel. Her grandfather was the chief of their tribe. Her father was David “Tall” De Cora and her mother, who was convent educated, was from a prominent Winnebago family.
Angel attended a reservation school until around age 12. Then she and some other Winnebago boys and girls were sent to the Hampton Institute, a boarding school in Virginia. This school had originally been founded for African Americans. In 1878 seventeen former plains warriors were admitted to Hampton. They had been held in prison in Florida since their capture during the wars against the indigenous peoples. This was the government’s way of giving them a chance for a better life.
In reality, one of the purposes of the government in educating the Native Americans was to strip them of their culture and teach them to be good U.S. citizens. Today we find this appalling but back in the nineteenth century it was felt that educating the tribal peoples was the best way to help them move forward. On the one hand, an education would help Native Americans who wanted to go out of their tribal land and do other things. On the other hand, it meant leaving behind family and friends who stayed on the reservation.
It was a hard choice. Angel De Cora wanted to pursue art. She was very gifted in both music and art. After returning home to the reservation to be with her family, she decided to return Hampton in 1888. She graduated in 1891 and went on to study music at Miss Burnham’s Classical School for Girls. She entered Smith College to study art. She graduated in 1896 becoming the first Native American woman to graduate at Smith.
Angel went on to further training at the Drexel Institute in Philadelphia where she was recognized as a gifted painter. She began doing illustrations for Harper’s magazine. She studied with Howard Pyle for two years. He recognized her ability and encouraged her to paint in her own style. Angel would become renowned for her Tonalist style – a style that emphasized mood and shadow. Some of her most famous paintings contained firelight as she fondly remembered her childhood on the plains of Nebraska.
Howard Pyle praised Angel as having not only talent but genius. He was constantly encouraging her to publish but he also realized that she faced many obstacles to recognition because she was not only an American Indian, but a woman. Angel herself was modest and did not put herself forward. She wrote several semiautobiographical stories, “The Sick Child” and “Gray Wolf’s Daughter for several issues of Harper’s Monthly. She also wrote an autobiographical article published in The Red Man magazine in 1911 (Vol. 3, No. 7). You can find all of these online.
During the summer of 1898 she produced the oil painting entitled “Lafayette’s Headquarters”. It was the only one of her works that did not include indigenous subjects.
Angel loved to paint indigenous people. She often depicted them in contemporary mainstream clothing. She illustrated stories for Native American children.
These books are still available and include:
Wigwam Stories, Mary Catherine Judd (1901)
Old Indian Legends, edited by Zitkala-Ša (also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin), published in 1895, 1904, and 1985
Yellow Star by Elaine Goodale Eastman (1911, 1931).
In 1904 Angel met William Henry “Lone Star” Dietz. After they married, William collaborated with Angel in her illustrations. She taught at Carlisle Indian School in 1906 using art to teach the children about their native heritage. She instilled pride in them for their work. She also taught them to use their creativity to produce marketable art.
Angel took a great interest in design. She believed that “designing is the best channel in which to convey the native qualities of the Indian’s decorative talent.” Her illustrations for Mary Catherine Judd’s Wigwam Storiesshow not only some beautiful landscapes but other depictions “are distinctly illustrative and portray intricately detailed objects and figures, as seen in her Harper’s stories.” De Cora’s headpiece and initial designs for the book were probably inspired by her coursework in decoration at the museum school.”[3]
Both Native and non-Native audiences appreciate Angel De Cora’s work. She was hailed as America’s most widely known pre-WWI Native American artist. Sadly, few of her works remain. The illustrations that have survived give us an enchanting glimpse of Native American life on the plains in the nineteenth century.
Angel died of pneumonia at only 47 years of age. Her work has helped to change the stereotypical attitudes towards indigenous people. Her graphic design work is still appreciated by many into today’s visual world.
[1] See her story on this website at, https://authormarywalker.com/native-american-women-in-education/
[2] You can obtain Dances with Wolves in many places; here is a link to Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Dances-Wolves-Kevin-Costner/dp/B000IZ5F2K
[3] Linda M. Waggoner. Fire Light: The Life of Angel De Cora, Winnebago Artist. (University of Oklahoma Press, 2008) p. 91-93
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“Life is a hard battle anyway. If we laugh and sing a little as we fight the good fight of freedom, it makes it all go easier. I will not allow my life’s light to be determined by the darkness around me.”
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