Identifier

MA 19

Dates

1862, 1901, 1925-2021

Extent

24.27 linear feet (26 document cases, 3 oversize boxes)

Abstract

This collection documents the career and contributions of Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, a Lakota writer, educator, and historian from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Spanning the 1960s through the 2020s, the collection includes manuscripts, correspondence, research materials, published works, teaching resources, and audiovisual materials that illustrate her work in Native American literature, education, and cultural preservation. Materials trace the development of her fiction and nonfiction writings, including children’s literature and historical works, as well as her roles as a teacher, guidance counselor, editor, speaker, and advocate. The collection provides insight into Indigenous storytelling, representation, and education, and documents Sneve’s national recognition and lasting influence on Native American literary and cultural history.

Historical Note

Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve (pronounced S-navy) (b. February 21, 1933) is a celebrated Lakota writer, educator, and historian, renowned for her significant contributions to Native American literature and cultural preservation. An enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, she was raised on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota.

Sneve attended Bureau of Indian Affairs day schools and graduated in 1950 from St. Mary's Episcopal High School for Indian Girls in Springfield, South Dakota. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from South Dakota State University in 1954 and began her career as an English and music teacher in White and later Pierre, South Dakota.

After a period devoted to raising her three children, she returned to teaching in 1965 at Flandreau Indian School, where she taught English, speech, and drama, eventually becoming a guidance counselor. In 1969, she earned a Master of Education degree from South Dakota State University.

Her literary career was launched in 1971 when her manuscript Jimmy Yellow Hawk won a competition held by the Council on Interracial Books. This led to a publishing contract with Holiday House, which released Jimmy Yellow Hawk and High Elk's Treasure in 1972. Expanding into nonfiction, Sneve edited South Dakota Geographic Names and authored The Dakota's Heritage in 1973. Her body of work has grown to include a history of the Episcopal Church in South Dakota, Completing the Circle (1995), and The First Americans Series, a historical series about Native American tribes.

Sneve's work has garnered numerous honors, including the South Dakota Governor's Award in the Arts for Distinction in Creative Achievement and the South Dakota Humanities Council's Distinguished Achievement in the Humanities Award. She has also received honorary doctorates from South Dakota State University and Dakota Wesleyan University. In 1996, she was awarded the National Education Association's Author/Illustrator Award, and in 2000, she became the first South Dakotan to receive the National Humanities Medal, presented by President Bill Clinton.

Throughout her career, Sneve has been a respected voice at literary festivals and educational forums, including the International Reading Association, the National Book Festival (2002), and the Native Writers Series at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian (2005). With a prolific career spanning decade, she has authored fiction, nonfiction, short stories, articles, editorials, and book introductions solidifying her legacy as a leading figure in Native American literature.

Content Notes

The Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve Papers document the literary career, research, and advocacy of the acclaimed Lakota writer, educator, and historian. Spanning from the 1960s to the 2020s, the collection includes manuscripts, correspondence, research materials, and published works that reflect her dedication to Native American storytelling and cultural preservation. It offers a comprehensive look at her contributions to literature, education, and Indigenous representation.

The Creative Writings series contains an extensive range of works, including Completing the Circle, The Medicine Bag, Dancing Teepees, Standing Bear of the Ponca, Sioux Women, and other significant titles. Each work is accompanied by manuscripts, clippings, correspondence, research notes, printer's galleys, proofs, reviews, and scripts. Many manuscripts include editorial annotations and suggested revisions, highlighting the development process of her works. Correspondence primarily consists of letters between Sneve and her publishers, as well as heartfelt messages from schoolchildren, some with drawings, thanking her for her books and school visits. Research materials within the series include notes, collected documents, and recorded interviews. The collection also includes a video adaptation of High Elk's Treasure.

The General series encompasses a broad spectrum of materials, including documentation of Sneve's various activities, honors, and awards, speaking engagements, clippings, interviews, journals, and diverse research materials. Her involvement in numerous boards, commissions, and cultural organizations is well documented, along with numerous honors such as the National Humanities Medal, Spirit of Crazy Horse Award, and recognition from educational and arts organizations across South Dakota and nationally. The speaking engagements reflect her role as a prominent public voice on Native American literature, history, and culture, featuring presentations at conferences, universities, museums, and festivals across the United States and internationally.

The Correspondence series features exchanges with publishing houses, fellow writers such as Bob Karolevitz and Audrae Visser, and political figures including Senator Larry Pressler. Of particular note is an audio reel of an interview Sneve conducted with Harold Shunk, a Bureau of Indian Affairs superintendent. The series also contains various teaching aids and historical photographs, including a 1901 class photo, adding depth to the collection's educational value.

The Other Writings series highlights Sneve's contributions beyond creative literature. This includes published articles, scripts for a South Dakota Public Radio series, Christian education resources produced for the Episcopal Church Center, newspaper editorials, studies related to the Flandreau Indian School, and her contribution to On the Wings of Peace, a compilation benefiting world peace organizations. These materials showcase her engagement with broader educational and social issues within and beyond Native communities.

This collection serves as a significant resource for researchers, scholars, and educators studying Indigenous literature, storytelling, and cultural history. It offers insights into Native identity, advocacy, and representation, highlighting Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve's enduring impact on Native American literary and educational landscapes.

SDSU Archives and Special Collections

This document is a descriptive inventory of the collection in the SDSU Archives and Special Collections. It contains:

  • An overview of the collection, including information about the person or organization and a brief description of the materials and subjects found within.
  • A detailed inventory listing, organized by boxes and folders.
  • Information on how to access the materials, including any restrictions or special conditions.

In most cases, the materials in the collections have not been digitized and are not available online. If you would like to know more about the contents of the collection, please contact the SDSU Archives at:

Publisher

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Rights

Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve retains the literary rights, including copyright, to this material. Patrons wishing to publish from this material must obtain permission directly from Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve. For further information, consult with the staff. 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 Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, publicity, 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 required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.

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