Civilizing The Savage: The Women's National Indian Association, 1879-1901

This thesis traces the growth and development of the Women's National Indian Association from its inception in 1879 to its transformation into the National Indian Association in 1901. These findings are based upon original research in primary resource material. The principal sources used include the WNIA's annual reports (1883-1901), its numerous publications and the writings of influential members, and its newspaper, The Indian's Friend. This organization had a tremendous impact upon the formation of government Indian policy, and received credit for spawning the General Allotment Act. The WNIA surged to the forefront of a movement on behalf of all-female missionary societies to become national in scope. The association's growth and achievement closely paralleled the health and activity of its dynamic leader, Amelia Stone Quinton. This thesis provides a case study into an organization that represents both an archetypical friends of the Indian group as well as a late nineteenth century female benevolent society.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts in History

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

History

Year

1994

Author dc:creator

• Ragsdale, Daniel L.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Larry Burt

• History

Statement dc:rights

• © Daniel L. Ragsdale

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/994

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-1995