Harold W. Shunk Papers

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.