Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1911-1993 (Creation)
Extent
- 1.0 linear feet (1 record box)
- Mounted steer horns
Name of creator
Biographical history
Harold W. Shunk (1907–1998) was an educator, public servant, and historian, born on July 25, 1907, in Philip, South Dakota. He married his former Colome High School classmate, DeLilah E. Wood, in 1929. After earning a degree from Southern State College, he taught in Tripp County before working on the Rosebud and Cheyenne River Indian reservations. During World War II, he served in the South Pacific as a tank driver.
In the 1950s, Shunk began his career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, serving as superintendent at the Sisseton, Turtle Mountain, Standing Rock, and Rosebud agencies. He retired in 1968 and subsequently focused on public service, actively participating in civic and fraternal organizations. His roles included serving on the governing boards of Rapid City schools, South Dakota State University, the University of South Dakota, and Black Hills State University, as well as holding positions with the South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Lower Brule Irrigation Board, and the Pennington County Housing Board.
Deeply interested in history, Shunk contributed to the South Dakota State Historical Society and hosted radio and television programs in Rapid City, sharing his knowledge of local history. He passed away on April 18, 1998, in Rapid City.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
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.
System of arrangement
Arranged into series:
- Series 1: General
- Series 2: Wahehe Heirship Hearing
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
The collection is open for research, but please note that the materials in the Archives do not circulate and can only be used In the SDSU Archives and Special Collections Reading Room.
Please contact us in advance so we can prepare for your visit.
If you cannot visit the Archives in person, please reach out to us. We will do our best to help you find the information you need.
In most cases, the materials in this collection have not been digitized and are not available online.
South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections supports access to the materials in its collections. However, access to some items may be restricted due to their fragile condition, donor agreements, or other considerations.
If you would like to know more about the contents of the collection, please contact the SDSU Archives at:
Information request form: Ask Us! Telephone: 605-688-5094 Email: arcrefs@sdstate.edu
Physical access
The papers in the Wahehe Heirship Hearing series is restricted due to their fragile condition and poor quality. Preservation photocopies have been made of these papers and are available for researcher use. Please see Box 3.
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Reproduction of materials from the collection is subject to the following conditions:
- Permission: Written permission must be obtained from the SDSU Archives for any reproduction, publication, or quotation of materials.
- Copyright: Users are responsible for complying with copyright laws and securing any necessary permissions from copyright holders.
- Fragile Materials: Some items may not be reproduced due to their fragile condition.
- Charges: Reproduction charges may apply, and users will be informed of any costs in advance.
-
Acknowledgment: Any reproduced material must include proper acknowledgment of the South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections as the source.
For more information or to request permission, please contact the SDSU Archives.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Uploaded finding aid
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
Notes element
General note
Copyright and Use Statement In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, publicity, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
ID
ID
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Sources used
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Shunk, Harold, 1907-1998 (Subject)
- United States. Bureau of Indian Affairs (Subject)