The Harold W. Shunk Papers focuses on Native American history, particularly the Dakota and Lakota tribes. It includes a wide range of materials, such as newsletters, manuscripts, notebooks, and historical lists. The collection documents significant events and figures in the history of the tribes and their interactions with federal agencies.
Among the key materials are typewritten transcripts from the Wahehe Heirship hearing, personal histories related to the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, and writings about the Dakota Indian Tiospaye system. The collection also covers military posts like Fort Laramie and Fort Totten and includes detailed accounts of the Big Foot massacre at Wounded Knee and the second Battle of Wounded Knee. Prominent individuals featured in the records include Crazy Horse, Crow King, Spotted Tail, Plenty Horses, and Harold W. Shunk, providing insights into the tribal leadership, cultural practices, and the role of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in local governance
A significant portion of the collection focuses on the Wahehe Heirship hearing transcripts, which address inheritance rights for Wahehe’s allotment, alongside personal histories of individuals connected to the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. Writings on the Dakota Indian Tiospaye system feature alongside documents pertaining to military posts such as Fort Laramie and Fort Totten. Accounts of pivotal moments—such as the Big Foot massacre at Wounded Knee and the second Battle of Wounded Knee—are also included.
Physical artifacts, such as mounted steer horns, provide additional cultural context.
