The Indians of the Midwest

FAIN: GI-50027-08

Newberry Library (Chicago, IL 60610-3305)
Brian Hosmer (Project Director: January 2008 to September 2008)
Scott Manning Stevens (Project Director: September 2008 to December 2012)

Implementation of an interactive website on the cultures and history of the Indian tribes of the Midwest and on the changes and issues they have faced over time.

The Indians of the Midwest website is designed as an interactive and content site that will share scholarly research on the history and cultures of American Indians in the Midwest with the general public. It will serve as a resource for members of diverse audiences seeking context for controversial issues involving American Indians, such as conflicts over gaming, the disposition of archaeological sites and objects, fishing rights, or sports mascots. This project is designed to contribute to public discussion on topics relating to Indians of the Midwest by making recent academic research more accessible to the general public, and by providing a vehicle for ongoing conversations between scholars and online communities of users via existing and developing social networking sites. The information on the site is organized around several broad themes that continue to resonate today, but whose roots in the complex history of the region and its people are often misunderstood in public debate.