Identifier
MA 3
Dates
1911-1993
Extent
1.0 linear feet (1 record box), mounted steer horns
Abstract
Harold W. Shunk (1907–1998) was an educator, public servant, and historian from Philip, South Dakota. His career included teaching in Tripp County, working on the Rosebud and Cheyenne River Indian reservations, and serving as superintendent for several Bureau of Indian Affairs agencies. After retiring in 1968, he remained active on various educational and governmental boards and contributed to local media in Rapid City.
The collection focuses on the history of the Dakota and Lakota, featuring manuscripts, notebooks, historical lists, and personal histories. Key items include transcripts from the Wahehe Heirship hearing, materials on the Dakota Indian Tiospaye system, records of military posts like Fort Laramie and Fort Totten, and accounts of significant events such as the Big Foot massacre and the second Battle of Wounded Knee. Prominent figures include Crazy Horse, Crow King, Spotted Tail, Plenty Horses, and Shunk himself.
Historical Note
Harold W. Shunk (1907–1998) was an educator, public servant, and historian, born on July 25, 1907, in Philip, South Dakota. He married his former Colome High School classmate, DeLilah E. Wood, in 1929. After earning a degree from Southern State College, he taught in Tripp County before working on the Rosebud and Cheyenne River Indian reservations. During World War II, he served in the South Pacific as a tank driver.
In the 1950s, Shunk began his career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, serving as superintendent at the Sisseton, Turtle Mountain, Standing Rock, and Rosebud agencies. He retired in 1968 and subsequently focused on public service, actively participating in civic and fraternal organizations. His roles included serving on the governing boards of Rapid City schools, South Dakota State University, the University of South Dakota, and Black Hills State University, as well as holding positions with the South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Lower Brule Irrigation Board, and the Pennington County Housing Board.
Deeply interested in history, Shunk contributed to the South Dakota State Historical Society and hosted radio and television programs in Rapid City, sharing his knowledge of local history. He passed away on April 18, 1998, in Rapid City.
Content Notes
The Harold W. Shunk Papers focuses on Native American history, particularly the Dakota and Lakota tribes. It includes a wide range of materials, such as newsletters, manuscripts, notebooks, and historical lists. The collection documents significant events and figures in the history of the tribes and their interactions with federal agencies.
Among the key materials are typewritten transcripts from the Wahehe Heirship hearing, personal histories related to the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, and writings about the Dakota Indian Tiospaye system. The collection also covers military posts like Fort Laramie and Fort Totten and includes detailed accounts of the Big Foot massacre at Wounded Knee and the second Battle of Wounded Knee. Prominent individuals featured in the records include Crazy Horse, Crow King, Spotted Tail, Plenty Horses, and Harold W. Shunk, providing insights into the tribal leadership, cultural practices, and the role of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in local governance
A significant portion of the collection focuses on the Wahehe Heirship hearing transcripts, which address inheritance rights for Wahehe’s allotment, alongside personal histories of individuals connected to the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. Writings on the Dakota Indian Tiospaye system feature alongside documents pertaining to military posts such as Fort Laramie and Fort Totten. Accounts of pivotal moments—such as the Big Foot massacre at Wounded Knee and the second Battle of Wounded Knee—are also included.
Physical artifacts, such as mounted steer horns, provide additional cultural context.
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Language
English
Publisher
South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.
Rights
In Copyright: This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copy-right Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is re-quired for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.
Recommended Citation
SDSU Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, "Shunk, Harold W. Papers" (2025). Archives Finding Aids. 3.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/archives_finding_aids/3
