The papers of Dr. William Hodge have been divided into four series, Hodge (Personal), Project Files, Reference, Vertical File, and Photographs. The core of the collection are the reference files which provide extensive information about the transition of refugees to life in the United States, with a focus on education and health care.
Hodge (Personal) (1989-2001) provides a look at Hodge's research. Researchers should note there is almost no personal correspondence in this collection. Major research interests in Native Americans and the paranormal are briefly covered. Hodge's consultant brochure gives a brief explanation of the field of cultural anthropology and biographical background on himself. Of interest are three speeches written by Hodge about the United States Army and veterans. Two commemorate D-Day and the third was given by World War I veteran and Oshkosh resident, Ray Fuller, at a memorial dedication.
Project Files (1977-1994) contain information about various projects Hodge was involved with. Mainly Wisconsin based, these projects focus on assisting Hmong and Southeast Asian refugees in their adjust to life in the United States.
Materials related to the Middlepath Project are particularly complete and provide an in-depth look at mental health care for Indochinese refugees (focusing on the Vietnamese). Of note is the information on Indochinese individuals which includes oral history interviews, the writings and reflections of individuals, and opinions about what Indochinese people should know about the United States. Also included are administrative materials, guides for mental health assessments, and guides for working with Indochinese.
Another significant consultation project is Project Get Acquainted. Intended to improve the school experiences of Hmong students in the Oshkosh school district, materials include funding requests, comments by potential funding sources, and the grant application. There is also a project summary, list of sources, and copies of questionnaires developed by the project and given to the Hmong. A highlight is the lesson plan for area schools which features surveys given to Oshkosh elementary, middle, and high school students asking for observations and opinions of the Hmong. Many of these surveys describe racism and discrimination felt by the Hmong community. A similar survey, given to Hmong English as a Second Language (ESL) students provides Hmong students' opinions of America. The lesson plan also includes a photographic presentation about the Hmong of Oshkosh and features photos of traditional dress, living conditions, and traditional implements.
Records for other projects are less complete, but include various materials pertaining to the American Indochinese Friendship Center, Oshkosh Lao/Hmong American Association, Milwaukee projects, Project Independence, Reach Project, and others.
Reference Files (1969-1999) were collected by Dr. Hodge and reflect his general interest in refugees. The bulk contains information about Indochinese refugees with a focus on history and culture, education, and physical and mental health. There is also general information on other refugee groups.
The background and history sections document the traditional lifestyle of refugee groups before leaving their home countries. Cultural information is available for both Cambodians and the Hmong. Language information is included for the Hmong, although most is not specified if it is White or Blue/Green Hmong. The cultural materials are particularly valuable in gaining an understanding of the challenges refugees faced adjusting to life in the United States. They also provide context to the clippings found in the Vertical File.
The core of this series is related to the experience and adjustment of Indochinese refugees to life in the United States. Materials related to the education of Indochinese youth and adults is particularly complete. English as a Second Language (ESL) materials are not specific to Wisconsin and include information about educating children and adults. ESL materials include personal narratives written by students and educator guides with suggested activities. Limited English Proficient (LEP) material is scattered. Educational theory and practice materials specific to Asian and Southeast Asian students are included. Suggested curriculum for teaching about refugees is also found.
The health care subseries is comprised of mental health and physical health materials. Much of the mental health materials relate to cultural perceptions of mental health and illness. There is also information about the causes of mental illness among refugees such as trauma and cultural stresses, bibliographies for mental health information, and evaluation scales. There are discussions of mental health as it pertains to Indochinese refugees and discussions of mental health problems faced by refugees.
Physical health materials document common medical problems faced by the refugee community and contain specific information about Hmong health care, and detailed materials about traditional health care and beliefs. Of interest are flyers distributed to refugees about common diseases, general medicine, nutrition, and reproductive health care.
Refugee resettlement issues are well documented in this series. There are orientation materials which illustrate the issues facing refugees. Reports about the adjustment of specific groups are extremely useful to researchers looking for information about refugee life in the United States. Workforce training illustrates another type of assistance given to refugees and attempts to assimilate refugees into American culture. Vertical File (1979-2002) includes newspaper clippings and journal/magazine articles about refugees and Southeast Asia collected by Dr. Hodge.
Topics represented include Southeast Asians, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Vietnam War. The strength of this series are the Wisconsin related clippings, taken mainly from the Oshkosh Northwestern. These articles cover nearly all aspects of refugee life in the United States. Almost all articles pertain to the Hmong, but Vietnamese refugees are also represented. Journal articles tend to be studies of the Hmong community in the United States.
Photographs relate to Project Get Acquainted and include images of the Hmong in Oshkosh and their living conditions. Color images show traditional Hmong dress, food, musical instruments, and cooking implements. There are also several images of Hmong gatherings.
