Jim Northrup Papers, 1943-2016
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Summary Information
Title: Jim Northrup Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1943-2016

Creator:
  • Jim Northrup Papers.
Call Number: UWM Manuscript Collection 362

Quantity:
  • 4.5 c.f. (3 archives boxes, 1 flat box, 1 oversized box)
  • 839 digital files (2.85 TB)

Repository:
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives Department

Archival Location:
UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:
Collection mainly consists of the writings of Jim Northrup Jr., Anishinaabe poet, author, playwright, newspaper editor and columnist, Vietnam veteran, educator and activist on various Native American issues and maintaining/enforcing treaty rights in Minnesota. Files include photos, manuscript drafts, newspaper columns, poems, plays, personal and professional correspondence, as well as files from his personal computers and digitized audio and video files. Clippings, reviews, posters from readings and awards ceremonies are included. Northrup was active in learning and teaching the Ojibwe language as well, founding an annual language camp with his wife, Pat Northrup. Personal slides and photos date to the early 1960s, and professional photos from the early 1990s through 2016. Video files and home movies, as well as professional documentary video, date from the 1990s to the 2010s. The collection was donated via Margret Noodin of the Electa Quinney Institute at UWM.

Language: English, Ojibwe, Swedish, German

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-mil-uwmmss0362
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Biography/History

Native American author and activist Jim Northrup Jr., was an Anishinaabe and tribal member of the Fond du Lac reservation in Sawyer, Minnesota. He was sent to a federal boarding school at age six, a Vietnam vet, journalist, newspaper editor and columnist, poet, playwright, novelist, writing instructor and more. He began relearning his native Ojibwe language as an adult and started an annual camp to help teach it to others. He and his wife, Pat, made traditional birchbark ricing baskets for chaffing wild rice they harvested from nearby lakes and taught that as well at the camp and internationally at events and readings they were invited to. His newspaper columns, plays, poetry and novels covered his experiences and reflections on tribal life as well as trying his best to live authentically as a Native American in a white world. He covered treaty rights including on spearing and moose hunting, the rise of Native American casinos in the 1980s, the loss of cultural identity through Bureau of Indian Affairs policies and schools, and trying to live authentically by the seasons in sugaring, hunting and ricing, as well as living for nearly a decade in a tipi.

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains the personal and professional writings and appearances of Anishinaabe tribesman Jim Northrup Jr., an author, activist, playwright, Vietnam veteran, poet, newspaper columnist and editor. The files include his writings, issues and activism, personal life and appearances, videos, and photos.

Arrangement of the Materials

The physical and digital items are both arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.

Preferred Citation

Citation Guide for Primary Sources

Administrative/Restriction Information
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law.


Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).


Processing Information

Alison Newman began processing the collection in 2019. Additional processing and finding aid completed by Brendan Dooley in 2022.


Preservation Information

VHS masters were appraised and digitized in house as uncompressed interlaced files, before being sent back to patron, due to the presence of mold on the materials. WPS word processing documents were converted to Open Document Text files and deaccessioned.


Contents List
Native American Life, Issues, Activism
Ojibwe Language Notes
Box   1
Folder   10
undated
Electronic Folder  
  \Documents\
  Ojibwe_Language_Notes\
2015, undated
Physical Description: 4 digital file (19.8 KB) 
Box   4
RBC Chairman Campaign Button, undated
Box   3
Folder   8
With Reservations Documentary Notes, undated
Personal Life, Appearances
Compas Teaching Residency,
Box   1
Folder   3-4
1990-1993
Electronic Folder  
  \Documents\
  Compas_Teachings\
1996
Physical Description: 1 digital file (15.1 KB) 
Early Life, Family History, Resumes
Box   1
Folder   1
undated
Electronic Folder  
  \Documents\
  Family_History\
1996-2016
Physical Description: 4 digital files (1 MB) 
Event Flyers, Info
Box   1
Folder   6-8
1985-2016, undated
Electronic Folder  
  \Documents\
  Events\
1996
Physical Description: 1 digital file (109 KB) 
Box   4
Notated Wall Calendars, 1989-1993
Box   2
Folder   10
Personal Dates, Calendars, 1988-2002
Box   2
Folder   8
Personal Notes, undated
Box   2
Folder   9
Tribal Notes, Research, undated
U.S. Marine Corps Service, Veteran's Activities
Box   1
Folder   2
1961-2016, undated
Electronic Folder  
  \Documents\
  USMC_Service\
2016
Physical Description: 1 digital file (155 KB) 
Photos
Electronic Folder  
  \Photos\
Digital, 2000-2016, undated
Physical Description: 737 digital files (1.65 GB) 
Physical
Box   4
Folder   1
Personal, Family, 1970-2016, undated
Box   4
Folder   1
Studio, Professional, 1987-2016, undated
Box   4
Folder   2
USMC Service, 1961-1966, undated
Audio   01
Unknown audio reel
Physical Description: 1 audio reel of 1 (1/4") 
Videos
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Family_Life\
72nd Birthday, 2015 April
Physical Description: 2 digital video files (UWMMss362_Birthday_Cake_for_Jim_2015-04; UWMMss362_Birthday_Song_for_Jim_2015-04) (9 sec.; 3 min., 19 sec.) 
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
Gallery Talk, 1995 June 27-28
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Gallery_Talk_1995-06-27-28) (1 hr., 10 min., 18 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Jim Northrup gives a gallery talk on basket making. Jim talks to a group of children about basket making an Anicinabe culture. Tape label metadata: "R-2 Gomin; R-3 Ismin. Northrup, Jim. Gallery talk 6-27+28-95. Gallery talk NMAI."
Home Videos, undated
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Family_Life\
Tape 01
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Home_Videos_undated_01) (19 min., 42 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Home videos of Jim Northrup and his family. There is video of people playing cards. Also contains footage of a construction site.
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Family_Life\
Tape 02
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Home_Videos_undated_02) (10 min., 46 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Home video of Jim Northrup and his family. Footage of jim snowshoeing.
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Family_Life\
Tape 03
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Home_Videos_undated_03) (1 hr., 59 min., 26 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Home video of Jim Northrup and his family. Video of a few auditions for the Rez Road Follies. Also includes footage of Jim and his family tapping trees for the maple syrup harvest. Jim's kids play and Jim boils the sap to make maple syrup. Tape label metadata: "Sugar Bush 1995. Play auditions- '95 Rez Road Follies."
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Family_Life\
Tape 04
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Home_Videos_undated_04) (43 min., 24 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Home video of Jim Northrup and his family. Includes footage of birthday celebrations, cooking frybread, making baskets and other activities. Tape label metadata: "Birthday Jim and Aaron Horseshoe with Pea Condo Cave. Pat's Ma's house kids."
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Family_Life\
Tape 05
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Home_Videos_undated_05) (1 hr., 5 min., 59 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Footage from a Pow-Wow which Jim Northrup attended. Also includes driving footage and footage of a fun run that Jim's son ran, rice harvest footage, and more home video of Jim and his family.
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Ojibwe_Life\
Jim Speaking Ojibwe, 2016 May
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Jim_Speaking_Ojibwe_2016-05) (58 sec.) 
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
Kendell College, 1993 October 25
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Kendall_College_1993-10-25) (1 hr., 9 min., 41 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Jim reads selections from his book.
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
Kendell College, 1993 October 25
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Kendall_College_1993-10-25) (1 hr., 9 min., 41 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Jim reads selections from his book.
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
No Boundaries Festival, undated
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_No_Boundaries_Festival_undated) (38 min., 39 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Jim Northrup recites poems as part of a public prayer at the No Boundaries festival. Wildlife footage. Footage of Jim at the festival talking with people. Footage of musical acts at the festival.
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Family_Life\
Northrup at Minnesota Twins Game, undated
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Northrup_at_Minnesota_Twins_Game_undated) (16 min., 53 sec.) 
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
Northrup in New York City, 1995
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Northrup_in_New_York_1995-06) (1 hr., 45 min., 33 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Footage of a trip to New York City. Includes footage of Jim Northrup having conversations with people. Includes footage of Jim giving a presentation on basket making to a group of children.
Northrup in the United Kingdom, 1995
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
Tape 01
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Northrup_in_UK_undated_01) (1 hr., 59 min., 39 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Home videos of Jim Northrup and his family on vacation in Scotland. Contains footage of a presentation Jim gave on basket making and Anicinabe culture. Jim answers questions about Anicinabe culture. Tape label metadata: "1st Tape Scotland".
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
Tape 02
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Northrup_in_UK_undated_02) (2 hr., 3 min., 15 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Continued footage of Jim Northrup's trip to the United Kingdom. Contains some footage back in Minnesota. Tape label metadata: "Scotland II London Sawyer".
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Ojibwe_Life\
Northrup Spears Fish, 1991
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Northrup_Spears_Fish_1991) (20 min., 41 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Jim Northrup reads a poem about spearing fish. Contains footage of Jim spearing fish. Tape label metadata: "Jim Northrup Spears Fish. 1991 - Spring."
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Ojibwe_Life\
Not Vanishing, 1989
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Not_Vanishing_1989) (8 min., 37 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: A series of poems are read by Kelly Larsen.
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
NORML Rally, 2014 March
Physical Description: 2 digital video files (UWMMss362_NORML_Rally_2014-03_01; UWMMss362_NORML_Rally_2014-03_02) (7 min., 59 sec.; 1 min., 31 sec.) 
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Ojibwe_Life\
Processing Wild Rice, 2015 September 11
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Processing_WIld_Rice_2015-09-11) (8 min., 37 sec.) 
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
Rez Road Follies, 1995
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Rez_Road_Follies_1995) (1 hr., 28 min., 53 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Jim Northrup performs Rez Road Follies.
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Ojibwe_Life\
Ricing, 2015 September
Physical Description: 3 digital video files (UWMMss362_Ricing_2015-09-02; UWMMss362_Ricing_2015-09-04_01; UWMMss362_Ricing_2015-09-04_02) (1 min., 12 sec.; 13 sec.; 12 sec.) 
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Ojibwe_Life\
Sawyer, 1995 June
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Sawyer_1995) (1 hr., 53 min., 37 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Home video of a religious ceremony ant St. Cornelia's Church in the Lower Sioux Reservation. (aka Mdenwakanton Tribal Reservation); also includes footage of a Pow-Wow, including grand entry and dancing. Final segment is home video of Jim's family swimming in a lake.
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
Shinob Jep, 1995
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Shinob_Jep_1995) (35 min., 16 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Jim and company perform Shinob Jep. It is a a parody of Jeopardy with questions about Native American life on reservations. Tape label metadata: "Shinnob Jep. Summer '95. Mille Lacs Rez."
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
Talking Circles, 1995 June 27
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Talking_Circles_1995-06-27) (1 hr., 0 min., 16 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Jim Northrup gives a gallery talk on basket making. Tape label metadata: "Reel 1 6-27-95 "Talking Circles" Northrup Gallery TALK NMAI"
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
Unknown Event, 2015 August
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_Unknown_Event_2015-08) (54 sec.) 
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
  UWMMss362_Way_of_the_Warrior_2007\
Way of the Warrior, 2007
Physical Description: 5 digital video files (22 min., 45 sec.; 31 min., 23 sec.; 32 min., 19 sec.; 11 min., 39 sec.; 17 min., 25 sec.) 
With Reservations, 1996
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
  With_Reservations\
Final Version
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_With_Reservations_1996) (29 min., 36 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: A program titled "With Reservations" Jim Northrup discusses many aspects of Anicinabe culture including spearing fish, maple syrup making, casinos and gambling. Jim reads poems.
Raw Footage
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
  With_Reservations\
Tape 01
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_With_Reservations_Raw_Footage_1996_01) (5 hr., 4 min., 55 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Contains 5 hours of footage from the making of the "With Reservations" program. Includes footage of Jim gathering bark for baskets, driving through the reservation, making baskets. There are some establishing shots for the program, as well as some footage of Jim making the program with a directorand camera crew. There is footage of Jim telling war stories, and footage of a Pow-Wow.
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
  With_Reservations\
Tape 02
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_With_Reservations_Raw_Footage_1996_02) (4 hr., 59 min., 12 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Contains 5 hours of footage from the making of the "With Reservations" program. Includes footage of a Pow-Wow, home videos of Jim Northrup and his family, Jim reading poems for the program, Music preformances and outtakes.
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
  With_Reservations\
Tape 03
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_With_Reservations_Raw_Footage_1996_03) (2 hr., 47 min., 57 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Contains three hours of footage from the making of the "With Reservations" program. Footage starts with a musical performance, contains footage of Jim Northrup reading poems and questions and answers, outakes, and Pow-Wow footage.
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
  With_Reservations\
Tape 04
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_With_Reservations_Raw_Footage_1996_04) (4 hr., 38 min., 54 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Footage of Jim Northrup and others hunting a moose. Includes footage of shooting, and cleaning the moose, hoisting it onto the car, and driving around town with the moose on their car and discussing the hunt with locals. Footage of fans and protestors of the Atlanta Braves and Minnesota twins during the 1991 World Series. Jim interviews fans about the Braves mascot and logo. Footage of Jim introducing speakers at an event, and then reading poetry.
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
  With_Reservations\
Tape 05
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_With_Reservations_Raw_Footage_1996_05) (3 hr., 50 min., 35 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: Footage of city streets, and monuments in Washington D.C. Footage at the Viet Nam war memorial. Footage behind the scenes of a local Minnesota T.V. program. Jim is interviewed and talks about racism and cultural exchange. Footage of Jim talking to a classroom of elementary age children about story telling and writing.
Electronic Folder  
  \Videos\
  Events_Appearances\
  With_Reservations\
Work in Progress Version
Physical Description: 1 digital video file (UWMMss362_With_Reservations_1996) (28 min., 24 sec.) 
Scope and Content Note: An Early version of the "With Reservations" program. Contains clips not featured in the final cut.
Writings and Recognition
Box   3
Folder   19-20
Anishinaabe Syndicated Drafts, Notes, undated
Box   2
Folder   11
Award Certificates, 1989-2014
Box   2
Award Plaques, 1999-2014
Box   1
Folder   9
Contracts, 1987-2004, undated
Correspondence
Box   2
Folder   1-6
1979-2017, undated
Electronic Folder  
  \Documents\
  Correspondence\
2016
Physical Description: 1 digital file (234 KB) 
Dirty Copper Drafts
Box   3
Folder   21
undated
Electronic Folder  
  \Documents\
  Dirty_Copper_Drafts\
2013
Physical Description: 4 digital files (1.15 MB) 
Box   3
Folder   18
The Distilled Follies, Bound, Curated Volume of Columns, 1989-2009
Box   3
Folder   1
Early Published Works, undated
Box   5
Fond du Lac Follies Bound Columns, Annotaed, 1989-1994
Fond du Lac Follies Bound Columns
Box   3
Folder   4
1989-2007
Electronic Folder  
  \Documents\
  Fond_du_Lac_Follies_Columns\
1995-2014
Physical Description: 12 digital files (278 KB) 
Box   4
Fond du Lac News, Various Editions When Northrup Was Editor, 1986-1987
Box   3
Folder   5
Indian Issues Columns, 1993-2007
Box   2
Folder   7
Journalistic Notes, Drafts
Nitaawchige Proposals, Drafts, Notes
Box   3
Folder   10-14
1995-1996, undated
Electronic Folder  
  \Documents\
  Nitaawchige_Drafts\
1996
Physical Description: 15 digital files (508 KB) 
Poetry
Box   3
Folder   2
1987-1991, undated
Electronic Folder  
  \Documents\
  Poetry\
1995-2016
Physical Description: 4 digital files (2.70 MB) 
Box   5
Posters (oversized) from Readings and Events, 1989-2004
Box   3
Folder   3
Prose and Musings, Miscellaneous, undated
Questions List for Follies Columns
Box   3
Folder   6
undated
Electronic Folder  
  \Documents\
  Questions\
1996
Physical Description: 1 digital file (20.2 kB) 
Reviews, Clippings
Box   1
Folder   5
1985-2012
Electronic Folder  
  \Documents\
  Clippings\
2014, undated
Physical Description: 2 digital files (1.80 MB) 
Rez Road Follies Play Drafts, Notes
Box   3
Folder   9
1994-1996
Electronic Folder  
  \Documents\
  Rez_Road_Follies\
1995
Physical Description: 1 digital file (46.80 KB) 
Box   3
Folder   17
Rez Road 2000 Play Drafts, Notes
Box   3
Folder   16
Shinnob Jep Play Drafts, Notes
The Tribe TV Treatment, Notes
Box   3
Folder   15
1985-2012
Electronic Folder  
  \Documents\
  Tribe\
2016
Physical Description: 7 digital files (956 KB) 
Box   3
Folder   7
Walking the Rez Road Proposal, Chapter Drafts, Reviews