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Catherine Fehr-Elston Collection, 1980-1995.

NAU.MS.300
NAU.PH.98.19

Biographical Note

Catherine Elston is a noted investigative and environmental journalist. She has participated in United Nations' studies on problems with indigenous peoples and has written extensively about the four corners region for newspapers and magazines. She founded the Southwest News and Information Bureau, an independent research news agency, in 1982. As director of the bureau she was involved with the Navajo Nation's Nutrition Self-help Project, D.N.A., and the San Francisco Peaks controversy. She also worked as a radio announcer for the Navajo Nation, and as Media Relations Officer for the Hopi Tribe from 1988 to 1990.

She is well known for her two publications, "Children of Sacred Ground" (Northland 1987) and "Ravensong" (Northland 1991). Her publication, "Children of the Sacred Ground", is a documented history of the struggle for land and cultural survival between Navajo, Hopi, and Paiute tribal groups. The Navajo-Hopi land dispute is the core of the work. "Ravensong" is known for its documentation of the lore of North American crows and ravens.

Scope and Content

This collection represents the work and interests of Catherine Elston. Her papers include information that originated from her organization "Southwest News and Information Bureau" and her two books, Children of Sacred Ground (Hopi Navajo Land dispute) and Ravensong (a book about the North American ravens and crows). Other topics reflect her interests in the human rights of indigenous peoples, cultural resource concerns and southwestern historical topics.

Of importance to scholars are the notes relating to her two publications, Children of Sacred Ground and Ravensong. The first concerning the Navajo-Hopi land dispute and the second a collection of lore and history of North American crows and ravens. Other highlights of the collection feature her work with the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe, including such items as interdepartmental correspondence, land and resource issues, and political decisions. Other items of note are her articles and collection of information relating to various Colorado Plateau topics. The collection is an excellent introduction to various controversies relating to the southwest.

Photographs of many things, including Catherine Fehr-Elston herself; Conferences; Grateful Dead concert; Northland Publishing authors; photos for book publication; Children of Sacred Ground photo file; Raven Song book signing; a book presentation in a park; a book presentation at Washington State University; A book signing at McGaugh's; Elder Hostel; travel photos; Mediterranean and Italy; construction; contacts; pictures of "Buddy"; meetins; personal photos; Hopi Tribe; Grand Canyon with Miller Nez; Native American arts and crafts; Wupatki National Monument; Pow-wow at the Pit; Navajo-Hopi Task Force; John Running photos; Southwest Museum; A Day with Navajo Code Talkers; Reggae on the Hopi Reservation; Navajo Tribe; Hopi political; San Juan Paiute; Rock art; landscape photos; postcards; contact sheets. Images are ca. 1980-1990

Arrangement

Restrictions

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for Northern Arizona University, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Controlled Access Terms

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Catherine Fehr-Elston Collection, NAU.PH.98.19. Special Collections and Archives. Northern Arizona University. Cline Library. Flagstaff, Arizona.

Catherine Fehr-Elston Collection, NAU.MS.300. Special Collections and Archives. Northern Arizona University. Cline Library. Flagstaff, Arizona.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Robert Coody.

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